Southeast Heatwave: How to Stay Safe in the Coming Days

The Southeast is in for a scorcher this week. A large area of high pressure is moving in, bringing with it a classic summer pattern of hot temperatures and the chance of rain. This means folks should be ready for some serious heat. The heat index, which is what the temperature feels like, could soar past 100 degrees. This is not just about the temperature on the thermometer. It is about how the humidity makes it feel even hotter. So, if you are planning to be outside, take some precautions. Drink plenty of water and try to stay in the shade when you can. Today and tonight, expect some scattered showers and thunderstorms. The warm, moist air and a light breeze from the southwest will help these storms develop. But do not expect a big storm to cool things down. These will be isolated and not widespread. A few of these storms could be strong, with heavy rain or strong winds. This is especially true in cities, where flooding can happen if storms hit the same spot over and over. The high temperatures will be in the low 90s, but it will feel more like 100 degrees. Any storms should fade after sunset, and overnight lows will be in the low to mid-70s. The pattern continues on Tuesday and Wednesday. The moist air will stick around, and with the high pressure nearby, expect more heat and scattered storms in the afternoons or evenings. The best chance for storms will be in the northwestern parts, but anywhere could see a passing shower or storm. The heat index could again top 100 degrees during the hottest part of the day. By Thursday, things might change a bit. An upper-level system could bring a front through the region, leading to showers and storms, mainly overnight. After that, the air will be a bit drier, but there will still be a chance of pop-up showers and thunderstorms through the weekend. So, be prepared for some rain, but do not expect a big storm to cool things down.