Chattanooga-area residents can expect more comfortable, somewhat cooler temperatures this weekend and through the end of the month.
Highs for next week will be in the mid- to low-80s with lows in the mid-60s, forecasters say.
That's because of a high pressure system coming in from Canada and bringing cooler weather, National Weather Service meteorologist David Hotz said. High pressure system winds circulate clockwise, which cause fair and sunny weather during the summer. In winter, though, they can cause very cold and frigid weather.
And WRCB-TV Channel 3 chief meteorologist Paul Barys said those temperatures will be staying put because of Hurricane Harvey, expected to make landfall, perhaps as a Category 3 storm, on Texas shorelines late today or early Saturday.
"Any time you get a hurricane, it prevents any big changes in the weather pattern until it makes a move," he said. "It's sort of Mother Nature's way of saying, 'OK. Let's see what this thing wants to do, and then we'll decide what we want to do.'"
Chattanooga 7-day forecast
Friday: High 87/ Low 64Saturday: High 87/Low 65Sunday: High 85/Low 66Monday: high 84/Low 70Tuesday: High 83/Low 68Wednesday: High 84/Low 69Thursday: High 81/Low 66
If the hurricane changes direction and starts to move closer to the area, there may be an increase in cloud coverage, Barys said, but that wouldn't be until next week.
Another factor contributing to the nicer weather is the lower humidity levels.
"It's a lot dryer out there," Hotz said.
He said the lower temperatures aren't that unusual for this time of year, although the area has had lower-than-average temperatures for the whole month of August. This time last year, temperatures were in the upper-80s, which is only a bit warmer, Hotz said.
Barys said he does not see 90-degree temperatures coming for the remainder of the month, and Hotz said temperatures will remain below average, though the fall is expected to be a bit warmer than usual.
Despite cooler weather, Barys said it's still easy to get hot when spending time outside in the sun.
"Wear a hat and you'll feel 15 degrees cooler," he said, adding a reminder for people to enjoy themselves.
Contact staff writer Rosana Hughes at rhughes@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6327. Follow her on Twitter @HughesRosana.