Tuesday temperatures reach record high in LaGrange

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Staff report

LaGRANGE — West Georgia’s record-breaking heat is coming to an end as temperatures fall to more-seasonable levels.

The mercury soared to 89 on Tuesday at LaGrange-Callaway Airport, shattering the previous record of 84 set in 1977.

The unusually high temperatures were part of a heat wave that set records across the Deep South on Tuesday. A high of 92 in Austin, Texas, broke a record dating to 1936. Greenwood, Mississippi, posted a high of 86, surpassing the previous mark set in 1955. Birmingham, Alabama, set a record with 87 degrees, the same as in Montgomery, while it was a record 84 in Atlanta.

Temperatures are predicted in the mid- to upper 80s across the South today before a gradual cool-down begins.

LaGrange can expect highs in the lower 80s today and Thursday, with lows near 50. The outlook for Friday through Sunday is for highs in the mid- to lower 70s and lows in the 40s.

Normal extremes for this time of year in LaGrange are 68 and 44.

Reach the LaGrange Daily News at 706-884-7311.