By Clint Thompson
Cooler temperatures are on the way in the Southeast. It’s not a moment too soon for farmers and residents in Florida, Alabama and Georgia who have endured high temperatures well into September.
Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, discussed the heat and what’s on the horizon during an interview with AgNet Media.
“It looks like we’re going to see some cooler temperatures starting later next week,” Knox said on Tuesday, Sept. 22. “You know, today is the first day of fall, so you know it’s coming. It’s just a question of time. And often this time of year could be really hot in the southeast. So, we’ll just have to see.
“The next few days I think should be fairly warm. I know we’re getting a cold air event coming in with colder air from the northeast, but I don’t think it’s going to hit most of the state. It’s just up near Athens and so on. But cooler air is on the way, so we’re going to see cooler temperatures coming in the next week and less humid too, which is I think really good.”
Knox did not think that Georgia would set any heat records this year, though, there’s little doubt the impact of this summer’s hot weather.
“While I think we’re above normal for temperature, overall, I don’t think anywhere in Georgia is setting any records this year. There are some other places in the southeast that are, but I think we’ve been hot for the summer for sure, but not record setting,” Knox said.
“This time of year is also really dry climatologically. When you have those dry conditions, you have nice sunny days and that raises the daytime temperatures up quite a bit, too.”