Columbus faces days of 100-degree weather due to heat dome. Set your thermostat here to save money
Columbus is in for a stretch of triple digit temps and as the infamous “heat dome” settles over the eastern U.S, things are going to get extreme.
This rings especially true for our area this week, as The National Weather Service predicts a “hazardous weather outlook.” The existence of a “heat dome” will force temperatures well into the upper 90s, with heat indices likely pushing past 100°F into next week.
What’s the weather like for Columbus?
According to Lindsey Marlowe, meteorologist with the NWS in Peachtree City, residents can expect “heat to build through the weekend” with temperatures hitting the highest on Monday, with a maximum heat index or feel-like temps to “potentially reach above 105℉ as we move into the Saturday to Monday time period.”
Although predictability decreases after 72 hours, its safe to say the rest of the week will be real hot:
Friday: 94℉ (feels like 98℉) mostly sunny with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening
Saturday: 96℉; sunny with a mild wind
Sunday: 98℉ (feels like 100℉); sunny and hot
Monday: 101℉ (feels like 105℉); sunny and hot
What is a heat dome?
The US Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) describes a “heat dome” as “an exceptionally hot air mass that develops when high pressure aloft prevents warm air below from rising, thus trapping the warm air as if it were in a dome.”
Marlow puts it more simply, defining it as, “a really, really hot air mass that kind of fits and lingers over a specific area for an extended period of time.”
The NWS expects much of the Southeast to be affected by this air mass as it lingers, “probably at least until mid week, where we start to see things break down a little bit.”
How to protect yourself and your energy bill
To cut your cooling bill by up to 10% each year, experts recommend 78 degrees.
Here are some tips from Georgia Power to stay comfy for less:
Utilize ceiling fans.
Close blinds, curtains or shades to block the sun.
Seal leaks around windows and doors.
Cook outside to avoid using the oven and run appliances at night.
Change your AC filters regularly and schedule routine professional service.
Upgrade where you can: If you qualify, Georgia Power’s EASE program offers free home upgrades that can lower your energy use even more.
The next several days will undoubtedly bring unrelenting heat, humidity and more energy-use. This heat won’t lift overnight, so plan accordingly.
If you can’t afford to run your AC through the heat wave, the Columbus Consolidated Government offers the ARP Utility Assistance Program or visit the Columbus Parks and Recreation website for information on cooling centers, local pools and splash pads.
How are you faring in the heat? How do you keep cool during the hottest part of the year? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
This story was originally published July 25, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
