If Monday felt a bit warm, there was a reason. The mercury reached 99 at LaGrange-Callaway Airport, breaking by one degree the record set in 1981.

And the heat index made it feel even hotter.

There’s a bit of a break in the high temperatures on the way, with highs in the lower to mid-90s the rest of the week. However. a heat advisory is in effect today for LaGrange and the middle third of Georgia, including Columbus, Macon and Augusta.

There’s a chance of rain each day through Friday.

Columbus also set a record of 99 Monday, surpassing the mark of 98 set in 1993.

Monday’s heat was blamed for three deaths, including that of a Jeffersonville woman who died from complications related to excessive heat.

Twiggs County Coroner Harold Reece said Tammy Basley died Monday at her residence after sitting in her unshaded porch about noon as the heat reached 100 degrees in nearby Macon.

Reece said Basley had a cardiac event. Basley’s son found her body about 4:30 p.m.

A heat advisory means that a period of dangerous heat is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity creates heat index readings of at least 105 degrees and very warm overnight temperatures. Experts advise residents to drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and stay out of direct sunshine.

The elderly, the very young and people with heart conditions are most at risk in extreme heat. Officials said people should check

on their friends, relatives and neighbors who may be at risk.

– The Associated Press contributed to this report.