FORECAST: Temps back on the rise to start September, expect heat through Labor Day

Anyone hoping for an early fall to bring some cooler temperatures will be sorely disappointed for the final unofficial week of summer.

Unfortunately, it looks like high pressure will be growing across the eastern half of the country for the upcoming week, bringing Northwest Georgia back into triple digit heat indices.

Forecasts call for highs in the low to mid 90s, and a heat index is up to the mid 100s range to start the week, with sunshine dominating with clear skies through most of the week ahead.

Expect this pattern to last through Friday, with slight chances for showers and thunderstorms but highs will remain in the mid 90s through the weekend.

Lows will only get down into the low 70s through the week.

Rain chances will increase over the upcoming Labor Day weekend, but expect mostly sunny skies heading into the Monday holiday to start next week and the unofficial end of summer.

Looking ahead, expect highs to remain in the upper 80s to low 90s heading into the second week of September with the final official weeks of summer ahead.

Heat Safety reminder

As the temperatures are coming up again, it is a good reminder for those who are going to be active and out and about of the following heat safety tips:

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Dehydration can be dangerous, especially in high humidity and heat indexes past the 100 degree mark.

Take brakes in shade if working outdoors, and try to get indoors in air conditioning during the daytime hours if possible.

Keep an eye on children, the elderly and pets throughout the daytime hours. If possible, bring pets inside to avoid any heat injuries they may sustain. If pets must remain outdoors, ensure they have a ample supply of water they can access and lots of shade.

Wear lightweight clothing when working outdoors. Avoid dark colors as well for those working in direct sunshine.

If you must do a lot of activities outside, limit them to morning and evening hours if at all possible. Strenuous activities outdoors in the afternoon are not recommended by officials.

Tropical weather

After Tropical Storm Dolly formed and broke up, the remnants have a small chance of forming back into named storm again, but it is being tracked and brought some much-needed rain to Puerto Rico.

The island has been under drought conditions for the past months and in dire need of fresh rainfall, which arrived over the weekend. That front that was Tropical Storm Dolly over the Atlantic basin broke up before it had a chance to do any damage or make landfall.

The real threat is sitting in the Gulf off the Louisiana coastline, and could push into Texas with a 70% chance of cyclone formation. It could end up as Tropical Storm Edouard if conditions remain right. It would be the fifth named storm of the season if so, the Atlantic hurricane season remaining light compared to recent years due to the El Nino influence in the Pacific.

Over on that side of the world, Hurricane Karina remains a fish storm between Mexico and Hawaii in the eastern Pacific. Winds are recorded as of time of writing at 125 mph moving west at 8 knots.

Tropical Storm Lowell is far southeast of the Hawaiian Islands in the Eastern Pacific as well, winds sustained at 50 mph and moving westward as well.

Another storm is being tracked for potential cyclone development with a 90% chance of formation right behind Karina, southeast of the hurricane and likely to move northwest as it spins up and becomes Marie in the next 48 hours.