Latest Summer Forecast in Georgia: More of This Warmth

Editor's note: Read this in the shade! This is an update to the region's summer forecast.

We've officially sweated off any doubt that we have entered the season of scorching temps a little early this year.

The high Saturday afternoon should reach 93 degrees. The hot temperatures will stick around into the work week, with a high of 95 degrees on Monday.

It's the start of a trend, as we're expecting to see temperatures slightly above average across the region this summer. The average summer highs in Atlanta are 87-89 degrees.

The reason for the heat is a blooming La Niña weather pattern across the U.S., according to Chris Scott, Chief Meteorologist with The Weather Network. 

"Typically for the US, these conditions bring warmer and drier conditions to the south and cooler and wetter conditions in the Pacific Northwest," he said. 

Accuweather's forecast in Atlanta plots a handful of days over 90 degrees in late June and then a string of hot days in mid-July before another round of up and down.

"July is a tricky month where there may be a few cooldowns from thunderstorms and back door fronts," AccuWeather forecaster Paul Pastelok said, predicting a series of heatwaves through August.

Rainfall should be about average in Georgia, according to the National Weather Service.

We won't be getting the worst of the summer this year. Weather Channel chief meteorologist Todd Crawford noted Friday that the Northeast and mid-Atlantic will see much warmer temperatures this summer.

"Model guidance shows a rather dramatic reversal of the background tropical Pacific forcing signal that would favor a hot summer again, especially across the northern U.S. and especially late," said Dr. Todd Crawford, chief meteorologist.
And the hot weather won't be done with us as the summer wanes, according to Crawford.

"We expect a strongly 'back-loaded' summer with the heat continuing into September," he said.