ATLANTA — Building heat and humidity will take feels-like temperatures to around the century mark by the end of the weekend and early next week.
This is all thanks to a heat dome, which has been exacerbating parts of the eastern U.S. with record temperatures and high heat indices over the last week.
For Atlanta, our high temperatures climb to around 95° Saturday with a heat index around 98°. Sunday, the temperature climbs to 97° with a heat index around 100°. Monday, highs in the mid 90s are expected again with a heat index just shy of 100°. By Tuesday, the temperature climbs to 98° with a heat index above 100°.
Although we are not forecasting any one day to be record-breaking with high temperatures, the culmination of consecutive hot, humid afternoons and very warm overnights is more profound. It's still June! Many of our 5+ day streaks of 95°+ degree days in Atlanta's history have happened in August and September.
The National Weather Service is highlighting this in their new experimental 'Heat Risk' product. This takes into account not just a single day's temperatures, but perspective that adds to how high of a risk the heat is for a given city on any particular day.
According to the National Weather Service, factors included in consideration are:
- How unusual the heat is for the time of the year
- The duration of the heat including both daytime and nighttime temperatures
- If those temperatures pose an elevated risk of heat-related impacts based on data from the CDC
On their website, they add, "this index is supplementary to official NWS heat products and is meant to provide risk guidance for those decision makers and heat-sensitive populations who need to take actions at levels that may be below current NWS heat product levels."
This is an important index that was expanded in 2024 to the Eastern US. Heat is the #1 Weather-Related Weather Killer every year in the United States. In 2023, extreme heat was responsible for 207 fatalities. That's more than tornadoes, flooding, wind, and rip currents.
Through much of this past week, we've seen seasonably hot but not extraordinary temperatures and humidity levels. As the heat and humidity build, our 'heat risk' category increases. Here is Saturday's map, showing a 'Moderate' heat risk for the area.
Sunday, we see much of the metro Atlanta area entering 'Major' risk in red. According to the National Weather Service, "this level of heat affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in some health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure."
By Monday and Tuesday of next week, we see the Atlanta inner metro push into the highest category, 'Extreme'. This is shown by the yellow purple. Extreme is reserved for more rare and/or long-duration high heat with little to no overnight relief. This type of heat can affect anyone without air conditioning and proper hydration. This will be days 4 and 5 in a row of 95+ degree temperatures. The heat index by Tuesday will jump above 100.
As the heat wave carries on in duration, the risk will increase.
Remember to stay hydrated and wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Avoid spending too much time outdoors during the hottest hours of the day, especially Noon to 6 p.m. And educate yourself on the signs of heat illness.
If you start to feel faint, dizzy, or are profusely sweating, you could be experiencing heat exhaustion. Move into a cooler, air conditioned place. Drink water to rehydrate.
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