Extreme Heat Risk
Sunday, August 30, 2026 · 12:14 AM
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Temperatures are on the increase this weekend. Becoming hot next week, with highs in the low to upper nineties. Major to extreme heat risk is expected by the middle of the week with heat index values in the triple digits. Very low rain chances through midweek. The ridge has pushed east from the Four Corners. Building quietly over Middle Tennessee. Dew points soaring in the low to mid seventies. The oppressive sky holds back every drop of rain. Widespread mid nineties burning through the afternoon. The ridge centers directly overhead. Overnight lows only falling to the seventies. No relief when the sun goes down. The atmosphere thickens into a heavy haze. No cool air moving in to break the wave. Trapped inside this extreme heat risk. Heat index as hot as one hundred seven! Heat index as hot as one hundred seven! Heat index as hot as one hundred seven! Heat index as hot as one hundred seven!
The forecast discussion
KEY MESSAGES
Updated at 1213 AM CDT Sun Aug 30 2026
- Temperatures are on the increase this weekend.
Becoming hot next week, with highs in the low to upper 90s.
- Major to extreme heat risk is expected by the middle of the week with heat index values in the triple digits.
- Very low rain chances through midweek.
SHORT TERM
(Tonight through Monday Night) Issued at 1030 PM CDT Sat Aug 29 2026
An upper level ridge that was placed over the Four Corners region has started to push east.
This will continue to build over the Southeast US this week and will bring an extended period of mainly dry weather along with hot temperatures.
Highs on Sunday will be a degree or two warmer than what we saw Saturday with mid 90s being more widespread across the area.
Dew points will also be a bit higher in the low to mid 70s.
Some afternoon cumulus clouds can be expected but no rain or thunderstorms.
The forecast won't change much as we head into the work week as the ridge continues to build over the region.
Highs will be in the low to mid 90s with afternoon heat index values around 100.
LONG TERM
(Tuesday through next Sunday) Issued at 1030 PM CDT Sat Aug 29 2026
The ridge will be centered over Middle TN by the middle of the week with highs continuing to go up a few degrees.
We should see mid to upper 90s by Wednesday with heat index values as hot as 107. With the prolonged period of hot temperatures we will see major heat risk by Tuesday and major to extreme heat risk by Wednesday.
Overnight lows will also be mild throughout the week only falling into the 70s.
An upper level trough will push into the Northeast late week into next weekend and that will help to flatten the ridge and build it back west but there is some uncertainty with that.
That will influence if we cool off some or not.
With the ridge overhead our rain chances will be little to none for much of the week.
Low rain chances enter the forecast late in the week but will be dependent on how the ridge breaks down.