It Is Always Hot In August
Friday, August 14, 2026 · 7:33 PM
Lyrics
Dangerous heat is expected through the weekend with triple digit heat indices across most of Middle Tennessee. This is resulting in major to extreme risk for heat-related illnesses. There may be a slight decrease in heat risk next week, but above-normal temperatures will continue with low rain chances. Deep layer ridging strengthening across the south. A hot southwesterly breeze. Heat index values from one hundred five to one hundred twelve degrees. Limited relief overnight in the urban core. You sit on the porch and say it is always hot in August. But temperatures are running five to ten degrees above normal. An Extreme Heat Warning west of the Cumberland Plateau. Not everyone has reasonable access to air conditioning. And heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. Relief from rain-cooled air is sparse today! East of Interstate sixty-five, isolated storms fade out! Tomorrow has no guidance for rain! Risk scale levels three and four out of four! Three and four out of four! THE FURNACE IS STILL RUNNING ACROSS THE REGION! AND THE OFF SWITCH IS NOWHERE IN SIGHT! DEEP LAYER RIDGING CRUSHING MIDDLE TENNESSEE! NO OVERNIGHT RELIEF IN THE CONCRETE HEAT! NO OVERNIGHT RELIEF! IT IS NOT JUST AUGUST! HEAT IS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER! ONE HUNDRED TWELVE DEGREES! LEVEL FOUR RISK ACROSS THE ENTIRE MAP! THERE IS NO OFF SWITCH! NO RAIN TO SAVE US! NO OFF SWITCH IN SIGHT! THE FURNACE IS RUNNING! IT IS STILL RUNNING!
The forecast discussion
KEY MESSAGES
Updated at 727 PM CDT Fri Aug 14 2026
- Dangerous heat is expected through the weekend with triple digit heat indices across most of Middle Tennessee.
This is resulting in major to extreme risk for heat-related illnesses.
- There may be a slight decrease in heat risk next week, but above-normal temperatures will continue with low rain chances.
SHORT TERM
(Rest of today through Saturday) Issued at 1155 AM CDT Fri Aug 14 2026
The furnace is still running across the region, and the off switch is nowhere in sight unfortunately.
Deep-layer ridging continues to strengthen across the southern and southeast US which is favoring a hot southwesterly breeze across Middle Tennessee.
Humidity levels remain elevated which is resulting in heat index values in the 105-112 degree range.
Risk for heat-related illnesses is running in the Major to Extreme levels (3 and 4 on a scale to 4) across all of Middle Tennessee through this weekend.
This is made worse by the long-duration nature of the heat wave and limited relief overnight, especially in urban areas.
As a result, an Extreme Heat Warning has been issued for areas west of the Cumberland Plateau through Sunday.
The rest of the high terrain areas have been added to the existing Heat Advisory through Sunday.
Though many may argue "it's always hot in August", it's important to remember that our temperatures are running 5-10 degrees above normal, not everyone is has reasonable access to AC, and heat is the #1 weather-related killer in the US.
Unfortunately PoPs remain low overall, so relief from rain-cooled air is looking very sparse and mainly for today generally east of I-65 where isolated showers and storms are forecast this afternoon and evening.
Not looking at much activity for tomorrow on latest guidance.
LONG TERM
(Saturday Night through next Friday) Issued at 1155 AM CDT Fri Aug 14 2026
Excessive heat will continue to be the main concern through Sunday.
In fact, they may persist into Monday, particularly for areas along I-40 and south. eat-related headlines may be extended into Monday at some point this weekend.
Some decline in temperatures are forecast starting Monday across the north and into Tuesday for the whole area as ridging shifts southwestward.
This may open the door for a few more thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening Monday at least, but overall temperature trends remain in the above-normal category through the entire forecast period with low chances for rain/storms most days.