100 Degrees Thursday...But Not A Record

Whew....Yes, it was a scorcher Thursday as the temperature reached the expected high of 100. While it was a rare day of triple digit heat for the Tennessee Valley, it was not quite a record. The record high for Thursday was 103 degrees which was set in 1980. Here are some other high temperature readings from Thursday around the region:
Nashville: 104
Atlanta: 103
Rome, GA: 102
Huntsville, AL: 101
Dalton, GA: 97
Ft Payne, AL: 97
Murphy, NC: 94
Crossville, TN: 93

The Heat Index peaked at 105 Thursday afternoon, with the 100 degree heat and humidity in the 35% range. Thursday's high of 100 marked the first time we have reached the century mark since August 4, 2006. And, it was only the second time in the past 5 years we have recorded triple digit heat. I did a little research to see how many times we have recorded 100 degrees or higher since 1980. The results might surprise you. Even though average temperatures have risen slightly over the past couple of decades, the number of days 100 or above have dropped off. Here is what I found:

Number of Days 100 degrees or higher per decade:

1980 to 1989: 24 Days 100 or higher
1990 to 1999: 17 Days 100 or higher
2000 to August 9, 2007: 3 Days 100 or higher

The overall pattern will change little over the next few days. Morning temps may be slightly cooler from 70 to 72, but afternoon readings should still average above 95 through early next week. This pattern could continue for the next 2 weeks. The only way we might be able to see a bust in this pattern and get more rainfall is dependent on any tropical development. The European and Canadian models are indicating some rumblings beginning in the tropical breeding grounds and a pulse of activity could be just around the corner. The Caribbean Sea and extreme southern Gulf could be areas to watch by the weekend and early next week.