Don't expect a fall cool-down just yet in Western North Carolina.
The National Weather Service out of Greer, South Carolina, predicts that much of the region will see temperatures remain far above normal over the next 6-10 days and possibly through the end of September. This extended forecast comes after North Carolina and the rest of the South have dealt with the hottest summer on record.
"The average temperature for meteorological summer (June-August) 2026 was the warmest for the contiguous United States in the 132-year record, exceeding the previous records, set in 1936 and 2021, by 0.4 degrees," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a statement to USA TODAY.
Now September is also expected to be a scorcher for Western North
Carolina and Upstate South Carolina as a heat dome lingers across much of the South.
When will it cool down in Western North Carolina?
Being at a higher elevation normally means that Western North Carolina would see cooler temperatures as the first day of fall approaches, but not this year, it seems.
Temperatures are 60-70% likely to be above normal through Sept. 21, at least for parts of the region; some areas could see high temperatures persist through Sept. 25, according to the weather service. The forecast on Thursday, Sept. 17, predicts temperatures to remain in the mid to high 80s through Monday, Sept. 21, before temperatures finally dip into the high 70s.
"Summer-like weather with hot conditions and afternoon showers and thunderstorms continue through Monday. Precipitation chances continue Tuesday and Wednesday with temperatures dropping to near or even below normal," read the forecast discussion from the weather service.
What is a 'heat dome'?
A heat dome isn't technically a scientific term and is a fairly new term that has gained popularity in recent years. It is a condition that occurs when a persistent region of high pressure traps heat over a certain area for a period of time, according to the American Meteorological Society.
Much of Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina is right in the dome that has settled over much of the Southeast.
What is a heat wave?
A heat wave is a period of abnormally hot weather generally lasting more than two days, according to the National Weather Service.
North Carolina heat index map
North Carolina 12th hottest state for summer 2026
Between June and August, meteorological summer, North Carolina saw an average temperature of 77.7 degrees, according to data from NOAA.
The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) recorded the preliminary statewide average temperature of 78.6 degrees for the same period, ranking as the state's fourth-warmest August since 1895, according to the North Carolina State Climate Office at N.C. State University.
Asheville, Western North Carolina forecast through weekend, Sept. 20
Check out the National Weather Service's forecast for the Asheville area:
Thursday, Sept. 17: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 3 and 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. North northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Overnight: Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind.
Friday, Sept. 18: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Patchy fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 88. North northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Overnight: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Calm wind. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday, Sept. 19: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Light east southeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Overnight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7 and 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday, Sept. 20: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2 and 5 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Overnight: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: No sweater weather yet for Western NC as summer like weather continues
