It’s officially hot: Atlanta hit 100 degrees Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
It was the first time in more than a year for triple-digit temperatures in the city, forecasters said. Atlanta last hit 100 degrees on June 26, 2024.
Some relief is on the way. But we have to endure high temperatures for just a couple more days before a cold front dips across metro Atlanta in time for the weekend.
Heat advisories that cover nearly the entire state had been set to expire late Tuesday but will now extend to 8 p.m. Wednesday, according to the NWS. Tuesday’s heat index values — a measure of how hot it feels on your skin — were expected to approach 108 degrees across much of Georgia. Wednesday’s predicted heat index will be slightly lower at 106 degrees but still high enough to be dangerous.
“Extreme heat” warnings remained in place over parts of east-central and southeast Georgia.
Shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, temperatures were still in the upper 90s in Atlanta, according to forecasters. The state’s hot spot was Columbus, where it was still 100 degrees, according to the NWS.
Some relief should come Thursday when temps are expected to take a downward trend that will carry into the weekend. Highs then are expected to stay in the 80s.
But in the meantime, if you don’t have to be outside in the extreme heat, “it’s best to keep it inside as much as you can,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.
“Wear lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing if you have to be out and about; take frequent breaks, drink plenty of water and plan those activities for early in the morning or in the evening hours when the sun is low in the sky and that heat is a little bit less intense,” he said.
In Atlanta, Monday’s 99-degree high had been the hottest day of the year until Tuesday.
Temps will get slightly cooler Wednesday with an expected high of 92 degrees but will still leave Atlanta blazing hot.
Cooling centers across the metro area are offering some relief to those in need. In Atlanta, the center at Selena S. Butler Park is available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Wednesday. In DeKalb County, cooling centers are open through Thursday, and recreation center pools will be free to the public from 2 p.m. until closing.
A Wellstar Health System spokesperson said area hospitals and urgent care centers have seen an uptick in heat-related illnesses, typical for this time of year. The health system says people should be “drinking water regularly, not just when you’re thirsty, wearing light, breathable clothes, taking shade breaks and watching for signs of heat exhaustion like dizziness or nausea.”
Some scattered thunderstorms are projected late Wednesday afternoon, marking the beginning of a wet pattern. No severe weather is expected in the foreseeable future, but some storms could whip up damaging winds up to 50 mph.
Thursday and Friday should be cooler with highs in the low 90s thanks to afternoon showers that should “keep a lid on how high our temperatures rise,” NWS forecasters predict. The humidity will remain high, though, so “it’s still gonna feel pretty miserable out there.”
Showers will persist through the weekend, but highs plunge into the 80s starting Saturday. Some locations could even see highs staying in the 70s on Sunday.
“So just hang in there. It’ll get better,” the NWS says.
Staff writer Taylor Croft contributed to this report.
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