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SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) 鈥� Residents in the Southeast U.S. are no strangers to heat in the summertime, but this week’s sweltering hot weather set at least one record and has forecasters urging residents to limit time outside on Tuesday if possible 鈥� and stay hydrated.

The all-time high temperature at Tampa International Airport was broken on Sunday when the thermometer hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius). The previous record had been 99 F (37.2 C) in June 2020.

The National Weather Service said Tuesday the prolonged heat is expected to peak in the Southeast at mid-week. A strong upper ridge also was generating a 鈥渄angerous and prolonged鈥� heat wave in the central and eastern sections of the country.

No relief in the shade

In Savannah, Georgia, landscaper Darius Cowherd took a break Tuesday in the cab of his work truck after spending the morning mowing grass, trimming bushes and blowing leaves in Forsyth Park in the coastal city鈥檚 downtown historic district.

Sipping from a giant water bottle almost the size of a gallon jug, he said, 鈥淚 filled it with ice at 7 this morning and it鈥檚 all melted by 10:30.鈥�

A canopy of live oak trees in much of the park provided little relief.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hot even when you鈥檙e working in the shade,鈥� said Cowherd, who wore a wide-brimmed hat to shield his face and neck.

The National Weather Service predicted temperatures in Savannah would reach 97 F (36 C) Tuesday, with heat index values 鈥� what the temperature feels like 鈥� approaching a broiling 110 F (43 C).

Breaking records

The heat wave was expected to set new records across Florida on Tuesday, with highs around 100 F. Heat index values in the Tampa Bay area were expected to range from 113 to 118 F (45 to 47.7 C).

鈥淲e have extreme heat warnings in Georgia, down through northern Florida that would also include places like the Tampa Bay and Orlando metro areas,鈥� said Peter Mullinax, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service. 鈥淲e’re going to see today more opportunities for temperatures to be near 100 again.鈥�

However, rain is in the forecast for Wednesday, which will likely cool things off a bit.

Extreme heat warnings also were issued in the country’s center from New Orleans up to St. Louis, the meteorologist said. The heat index value on Tuesday was expected to reach as high as 110 F around the St. Louis area and in southwest Illinois.

鈥楾oo much鈥� heat

In downtown Savannah, scattered tourists trudged along the sidewalks despite the heat. A few carried umbrellas to keep the sun at bay.

A block away, Luis Hernandez was working in direct sun on a ladder painting second-floor windows on a 19th century home. He wore long sleeves to protect against sunburn.

Hernandez said a co-worker made sure he and his fellow house painters had a cooler filled with drinking water. About every two hours, they would go inside to take breaks in the air-conditioning.

鈥淪ure, it鈥檚 hot,鈥� Hernandez said 鈥� almost 鈥渢oo much.鈥�

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Mike Hempen in College Park, Maryland, contributed to this report.

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