Forget the 'Polar Vortex.' Here comes the 'Death Ridge' and record heat for the Southeast

Doyle Rice
Updated
A blistering, dangerous heat wave, which one expert calls a "death ridge," is poised to scorch the southeastern U.S. over the Memorial Day weekend.

A blistering, dangerous heat wave, which one expert calls a "death ridge," is poised to scorch the southeastern U.S. over the Memorial Day weekend.

While the central U.S. deals with floods and storms, some all-time record high temperatures for May could be shattered as highs rocket into the upper 90s to low 100s all the way from Alabama to Virginia.

"In what has been a warmer-than-normal May to date across the Southeast, temperatures will take a notable turn upwards through the end of the week and into Memorial Day weekend," AccuWeather meteorologist Max Vido said.

A few of the records that could be broken date back to the 1800s.

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"Most high temperature records across the region stand in the 90s, so these cities are expected to consistently challenge records during the heat wave," Vido said.

In Charleston, South Carolina, the National Weather Service called it "prolonged and dangerous heat wave."

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Weather.us meteorologist Ryan Maue referred to the heat as a "death ridge" that will bring calm winds and bone-dry conditions, in addition to the extreme heat. (A "ridge" is an area of high atmospheric pressure, one that prevents clouds and rain from forming.)

No cooling showers are expected, either: "The chance for precipitation will remain virtually nil," the weather service in Atlanta said.

Patty Wesel, 8, from Marietta, Georgia, jumps in the spray of a sprinkler on the National Mall in front of the Washington Monument on July 7, 2010.
Patty Wesel, 8, from Marietta, Georgia, jumps in the spray of a sprinkler on the National Mall in front of the Washington Monument on July 7, 2010.

The duration of the heat wave could make it "life-threatening," Weather.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman said. "Minimize your time outdoors during the hottest times of day, typically from late morning through late afternoon. Drink plenty of liquids and wear light, loose-fitting clothing if you must be outside for longer periods of time," he advised.

Unfortunately, the unusual heat is predicted to continue baking the Southeast well into early June, according to the latest forecast from the Climate Prediction Center.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Forget the 'Polar Vortex.' Here comes the 'Death Ridge' and record heat for the Southeast