Widespread Extreme Heat Persists Across U.S. Ahead of Weekend Relief

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, forecasters expect a pop-up shower or storm today that could help temper the heat; any storms could be strong to severe, with heat index values in the 90s and highs in the mid-to-upper 80s, and a weekend trend toward cooler, drier air arriving by Thursday.
North Carolina recorded 5,861 heat-related emergency department visits between May 1 and Sept. 2 (5,720 through Aug. 29), with Wake County first responders warning of ongoing risk as the Triangle endures several days of near-record heat and heat indices potentially reaching 105 degrees or higher.
Columbia, South Carolina, could approach a daily heat-record with a forecast high of 98 degrees, just one degree shy of the 2014 record of 99; Saturday’s 95-degree kickoff for the Gamecocks’ home opener would be the hottest on record.
Northwest Georgia is under a heat advisory from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. with expected heat indices around 105 in the advisory area; metro Atlanta is not included, but highs in the region are still in the upper 90s and scattered storms are expected through the weekend.
Eastern and southeastern Türkiye are seeing extreme heat with streams and rivers drawn on for relief; Diyarbakır’s Sinek Stream and Canyon drew crowds as water temperatures near 20C while air temperatures rose to around 45C, with other sites like Lake Hazar and Beyazsu recreation areas also popular.
A dangerous heat wave continues to grip much of the eastern and central United States, with near-record highs and heat indices exceeding 100 degrees stretching from Michigan to Georgia and the Carolinas. 11alive reports that Atlanta faces no break from the heat, while North Carolina has recorded 5,861 heat-related emergency visits since May 1, straining first responders across the region. A cold front is expected to bring scattered showers and some relief over the weekend, though intense heat will return early next week.
Heat indices in hard-hit areas are expected to reach 105–110 degrees through Friday. williamsonsource and rutherfordsource report that the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued Code Orange Health Advisories for Nashville through Thursday evening, warning of dangerous ground-level ozone concentrations. Globally, extreme heat is also striking Türkiye, where residents are seeking relief in rivers and streams as air temperatures climb near 45°C (113°F).
North Carolina is in the thick of a severe heat event, with near-record temperatures and heat indices potentially reaching 105 degrees or higher through Friday. First responders in Wake County are warning of ongoing risk as the Triangle region braces for several consecutive days of extreme conditions. The state has documented 5,861 heat-related emergency department visits between May 1 and September 2, a stark reminder of heat's public health toll.
Columbia, South Carolina, is approaching a daily heat record with a forecast high of 98 degrees—just one degree shy of the 2014 record of 99. Saturday's kickoff for the Gamecocks' home opener is expected to reach 95 degrees, marking the hottest game-day temperature on record. A cold front moving in over the weekend should drop highs to the low 90s Sunday and upper 80s on Labor Day, offering temporary relief to the hard-hit Midlands region.
Northwest Georgia is under a heat advisory from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., with expected heat indices around 105 degrees in the advisory area. Highs across the broader region remain in the upper 90s, and 11alive notes that scattered storms are forecast through the weekend but offer only brief respite. Metro Atlanta, while not under an official advisory, continues to endure oppressive heat with little relief expected until early next week.
Eastern and southeastern Türkiye are experiencing extreme heat, with air temperatures climbing near 45°C (113°F). Residents are seeking refuge in cooler rivers and streams, with the Sinek Stream and Canyon near Diyarbakır drawing crowds. Water temperatures hover near 20°C (68°F), providing stark contrast to the searing air. Other popular relief sites include Lake Hazar and Beyazsu recreation areas, underscoring the global reach of this dangerous heat event.
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