Sunny skies and increasingly hot temperatures are in store for Chattooga County as high pressure builds across the Southeast, bringing mostly dry conditions through much of the upcoming week.

Today, look for plenty of sunshine with a high near 90 degrees. Winds will be light, becoming southeast around 5 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 71.

The warming trend continues Monday, with sunshine and a high near 92 degrees. The heat index could reach 98 degrees during the afternoon. Monday night will be mostly clear with a low around 71.

Temperatures climb another degree Tuesday, with sunny skies and a high near 93. Tuesday night will remain mostly clear with a low around 72.

Wednesday could be one of the hottest days of the week, with sunshine and a high near 94 degrees. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 72.

Rain chances remain very limited until late in the week. Thursday will be sunny with a high near 93 and just a 20% chance of an afternoon shower or thunderstorm after 2 PM. Any evening storms should quickly diminish, with a low around 73.

A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms returns Friday, although sunshine is still expected and temperatures could reach 94 degrees. Friday night carries a 30% storm chance with a low around 72.

For Saturday, there is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms with otherwise sunny skies and another high near 93 degrees.

The National Weather Service says a strengthening ridge of high pressure will suppress much of the typical summertime thunderstorm activity while allowing temperatures to steadily increase.

While the greatest heat-index values are expected farther south in Georgia, North Georgia will also feel the effects of the building heat. Afternoon temperatures in Chattooga County will climb from around 90 today into the lower and middle 90s for much of the week.

With overnight temperatures remaining in the lower 70s, there will also be less relief from the heat during the nighttime hours.

Anyone spending extended periods outside this week should drink plenty of water, take breaks from the heat when possible and remember to check on children, pets and those particularly vulnerable to hot weather.