An extended stretch of hot, mostly sunny and unusually dry weather will continue across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia through Saturday, with temperatures remaining well above normal for the middle of September.

Wednesday will be sunny with a high near 94 degrees, while the heat index could reach as high as 98 during the afternoon. Winds will remain light, becoming easterly at around 5 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear and comparatively more comfortable, with temperatures falling to around 69 degrees.

The National Weather Service says a strong upper-level ridge remains parked over the Southeast, helping keep rain away while allowing afternoon temperatures to climb into the 90s across most areas outside the mountains.

The heat becomes even more noticeable Thursday. Thursday will be sunny with a high near 96, and the heat index could approach 99 degrees. Thursday night will remain mostly clear with a low around 70.

There will be little change Friday, with another day of sunshine and a high near 96 degrees. Friday night will be partly cloudy with temperatures only falling to around 71.

The hot pattern carries into the weekend. Saturday will be sunny with a high near 95, followed by partly cloudy skies Saturday night and a low around 70 degrees.

Forecasters say increasing humidity could make afternoon temperatures feel even hotter as the weekend approaches. With several consecutive days of temperatures in the middle 90s, people working or spending long periods outdoors should take precautions against heat-related illness. Drink plenty of water, take breaks when possible and remember to check on children, pets, elderly residents and others who may be especially vulnerable to the heat.

A change in the weather pattern should finally begin late in the weekend as the ridge over the Southeast weakens and a front approaches the region.

Sunday will remain mostly sunny and hot with a high near 94, but there will be a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM. A slight chance of storms continues Sunday night.

Rain chances increase significantly early next week. Monday brings a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 92 degrees. Storm chances continue Monday night before another 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Tuesday.

Temperatures should finally begin to moderate somewhat Tuesday, when the high is expected to reach around 89 degrees.

Despite the increasing storm chances early next week, the National Weather Service currently expects overall rainfall amounts to remain fairly limited, with much of the region receiving less than an inch through the forecast period.

For now, the main weather story remains the September heat, with sunshine, temperatures in the mid-90s and very little chance of rain through Saturday before thunderstorms gradually return Sunday into early next week.