You Will Realize Too Late

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1230 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026

- Dangerous heat expected through the weekend with triple digit heat indices west of the Cumberland Plateau.

- Lower thunderstorm chances today, but any stronger storms will be capable of damaging winds and heavy rain.

- Drier and hotter conditions favored Friday through the weekend followed by some minor relief early next week.

SHORT TERM

(Rest of today through Friday) Issued at 1101 AM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026

Clouds are invading the area from the north this morning, with heat indices already in the 90s and some in the low 100s though, we'll take any kind of break we can get.

An upper ridge remains in place across the southeastern United States that does not plan on relenting any time soon.

This drives up not only our temperatures, but keeps the atmosphere moist with flow from the Gulf into Middle Tennessee.

Temperatures will only get hotter into the weekend, and so will heat indices.

Today, expect highs in the mid 90s with heat indices ranging from 105 - 110. Don't expect much relief from it as our chances for rain are low (20-30%).

That being said, if a storm does manage to break through despite the ridge, it would be capable of producing gusty winds and heavy rainfall.

To end the work week, it's the same story but with even smaller chances for rain (<20%).

Overnight lows in the 70s won't provide much relief from the heat, and highs on Friday will be in the mid to upper 90s (with the exception of the Cumberland Plateau, they'll get into the low 90s).

Heat Indices will reach 105 - 110 once again.

With the high overnight lows, and minimal relief expected, much of the area creeps into Extreme Heat risk starting Friday and continuing through the weekend.

If you plan on being outside, remember to practice heat safety, and know the signs of heat illness.

Take breaks before you think you need them, as sometimes you can realize you need to cool down too late.

LONG TERM

(Friday Night through next Thursday) Issued at 1101 AM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026

The ridge continues its hold on the southeastern United States into the weekend, where temperatures somehow manage to get even hotter.

Highs on the weekend have a real chance of reaching 100 degrees in some areas on the Highland Rim.

With the heat advisory in effect for the area, and the extreme heat risk, precautions need to be made for outdoor activities.

Make sure you are staying hydrated and taking frequent breaks in the shade or A/C if you still plan to be outside this weekend.

Once we start a new work week, A low pressure system in Canada will begin to exert pressure on our ridge, and we are squeezed right in the middle.

As the low dips further south, some passing shortwaves will bring rain chances starting Monday night.

While chances are low (20 - 30%), a weak cold front will shift our winds to be from the north and lower highs on Tuesday to the low 90s.

Unfortunately, it is August, so we will bounce right back to the mid 90s into the middle of the week.