Temps could flirt with record high

Tomorrow: Warm. High: 88

» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.

Don’t pack away the summer clothes yet.

Temperatures could get near record levels Monday, according to Channel 2 Action News.

The record for this day, set in 1986, is 90 degrees.

“We’re going to fall a little short today,” Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said. “But we’re still way above where we should be.”

Monday’s expected high is 87 degrees. Currently, the temperature is 85 degrees in Atlanta. The average high for this time of year is 79, Channel 2 reported.

Blame the summer-like conditions on Hurricane Maria, which continues to churn in the Atlantic Ocean and is on track to become a tropical storm by Tuesday night, Channel 2 meteorologist Karen Minton said.

“It’s that sinking air from the high associated with it that’s giving us the dry conditions and the mainly clear skies,” she said. “With that sinking air, that creates energy. That creates heat. So we stay hot.”

Highs are expected to reach 88 Tuesday, 90 Wednesday, 89 Thursday and 86 Friday, according to the latest forecast.

A cold front is expected in Atlanta this week, Channel 2 Chief meteorologist Glenn Burns said, but above average temperatures should continue.

Atlanta could see a change in temperatures early next week when it’s expected to be cooler and highs are in the 70s.