How many ways can you say it's hot?
That's the position the meteorologists at the National Weather Service find themselves in.
Nashville continues to break heat records this summer.
"Nashville broke an almost 100-year high temperature record today," the weather service office in Nashville said Sept. 15 when temperatures reached triple digits. "The previous record was 98 set back in 1927. Think cool thoughts."
Meteorological summer — June, July and August — is over, but the fall equinox isn't until Sept. 22. And another round of deadly heat is upon Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
"BNA reached a record-setting 100 degrees Tuesday and there is no reason to doubt it will happen again Wednesday as the ridge intensifies directly overhead," the Nashville
office of the weather service said. "Record high temperatures are in jeopardy each day this week."
Heat indexes could reach as high as 108.
"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check on relatives and neighbors," the weather service's advisory said. "Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 911."
The weather service extended the heat advisory through 8 p.m. Sept. 19.
"This month is the 2nd hottest (month to date) September, but trends suggest it may end up the hottest on record," meteorologist Samuel Herron in the weather service's Nashville office said.
It also doesn't help that Nashville won't have any meaningful rain.
"Look for worsening drought conditions and very crunchy lawns," the weather service said.
Summer heat hits entire country
Tennessee isn't the only state feeling the heat.
This summer across the country has been the hottest on record since climate records started in 1895, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Average temperatures for the summer were at 74.4, three degrees above normal, the administration said. The July 4 heat dome and other heat waves are to blame.
Colorado, Utah and New Mexico all broke records for average summer temperatures. Arizona tied its hottest summer.
When will it cool down?
Tennessee should be descending into cooler temperatures, but those are a little delayed this year.
A front will "ooze southward" toward the region over the weekend, but it's not expected to bring much rain.
"Even if the heat does back off, temperatures are expected to stay on the hot side of normal," the weather service said.
Typically, maximum temperatures drop to 70 in mid-October for Knoxville. That could mean Nashville and Middle Tennessee are stuck with temperatures in the 80s and 90s through October.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Summer heat lingers over Nashville, Middle TN breaking records
