Nashville getting grilled by record-setting heat wave
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
A record-setting heat dome is parked over Music City, and it is staying put.
Why it matters: Dangerous temperatures will remain the norm in Nashville at least through Sunday.
Stunning stat: Nashville reached at least 90° on each of September's first 16 days — and counting.
- A typical September produces only six 90° days during the entire month.
Zoom in: September shoved past Nashville's traditional period of peak heat this year.
- The average high logged at the airport during the first 15 days of the month was 96.5°.
- That's 5° hotter than the average during the first half of July and nearly 5° hotter than the first half of August.
By the numbers: Nashville has recorded four triple-digit days this month — Sept. 3, 4, 5 and 15.
- Tuesday broke Nashville's Sept. 15 record high of 98° set in 1927.
What's happening: The system lingering over the Tennessee Valley is expected to become the strongest heat dome on the planet this week, towering 3.7 miles above us and pulling more hot and humid air into the area, the Washington Post reports.
The big picture: The heat is arriving during an exceptionally dry stretch. BNA has recorded only a trace of rain this month and is 9.09 inches below normal precipitation for the year.
- Drought conditions now affect more than 371,000 Davidson County residents.
What's next: A heat advisory remains in effect at least through Saturday evening, with highs expected to push toward 100° through the weekend.
What we're watching: If Nashville keeps reaching 90° through Sunday, as expected, September will begin with 20 straight 90° days.
- The September record is 23 such days, set during the historic heat and drought of 2019.