Scorching heat, creeping drought threaten Nashville, Middle Tennessee next week

Do not be deceived, fall is not yet upon us.

Despite those dips into tantalizing temperatures, summer is going to return next week.

"Highs this weekend will be near average but things are looking hot next week with highs pushing well into the 90s to around 100," the National Weather Service in Nashville said. "The hottest day looks to be Tuesday.

Nashville averages about 49 days per year with temperatures of 90 degrees or more. So far this year, Nashville has had 52 days.

"We'll definitely be adding to that total the rest of the month," the weather service said.

The heat will also likely worsen drought conditions in Middle Tennessee.

"Things are going to get worse over the next week, if not two weeks," Ryan Husted, a meteorologist with the weather service, said in an email. "Not the best news to share unfortunately. There might be a pattern shift going into the first weekend of September/Labor Day that could bring some relief from the heat, but there's no guarantee for impactful rainfall at this time."

How hot will Nashville get?

Highs will be in the 90s every day next week until at least Thursday when there is a small chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Some areas could reach triple digits, according to the weather service. Nashville has a 55% chance of topping 100 on Wednesday, the weather service said.

"The good news is dew points won't be crazy high," the weather service said Friday morning during its forecast discussion. "This will keep heat index values close to actual temperature and likely keep us below heat advisory levels."

Thanks to those slight chances for rain at the end of next week, we should see some cooling as we head into the Labor Day holiday weekend, the weather service said.

Is Nashville in a drought?

Nashville is not currently in a drought, but residents don't have to drive far to find counties that are.

Only three months ago, just over 3% of the state was listed as abnormally dry, the lowest grade of drought. As of Tuesday, over 54% of the state is in some level of drought, with 4% in a severe drought.

Over half of Middle Tennessee is in some level of drought, according to the weather service.

In a week, the entirety of Lewis County went from a moderate drought to a severe drought. Areas in a severe drought are at risk of crop or pasture loss, fires, water shortages and restrictions, according to the weather service.

Portions of Cheatham, Dickson, Williamson and Rutherford counties all have some level of drought. Both Williamson and Dickson counties have areas of moderate drought.

With little to no rain forecasted over the next week, forecasters expect some areas to slide into an extreme drought.

Nashville-area forecast

Saturday: Sunny with a high near 92 and overnight lows around 66 degrees.

Sunday: Sunny with a high near 93 and overnight lows around 68 degrees.

Monday: Sunny and hot with a high near 97 and overnight lows around 70.

Tuesday: Sunny and hot with a high near 99 and overnight lows around 72.

Wednesday: Sunny and hot with a high near 99 and overnight lows around 73.

Thursday: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, otherwise mostly sunny with a high near 96 and lows around 70.

Friday: Sunny with highs near 93 and overnight lows of 71 degrees.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Scorching heat, creeping drought threaten Nashville, Middle Tennessee next week