Macon faces days of 100-degree weather due to heat dome. Set your thermostat here to save money
Summer isn’t over yet. Get ready for more scorching summer heat, Macon.
Over the next few days, Middle Georgia and surrounding areas will get some intense heat and sunshine. Here’s what to expect:
What’s the forecast?
In short: extremely hot.
“In the Macon area, temperatures will begin rising tomorrow, with a high of 94 and temperatures continue to climb through the weekend. We are looking at 97 on Saturday, close to 99 on Sunday, but Monday will be the warmest high, which will be around 102,” Sid King, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told the Telegraph. And expect the heat index on those days to reach triple digits.
So, why are the temperatures so high? Well, we can blame the heat dome.
What is a heat dome and is Macon under it?
Essentially, the heat dome is a term used to explain an area of high pressure that reduces rain chances and traps hot air underneath, giving a heat dome effect.
“The heat dome also gives ample sunshine and is responsible for those summertime heat waves,” King said.
King explained that Macon and other surrounding areas will experience the heat dome into next week.
“The pattern will persist for a while and will even have temperatures hanging around through the middle of next week or even until Thursday,” King said. “There’s not much release in sight.”
What should I set my thermostat to during heat waves?
According to Georgia Power: “Set your programmable thermostat to 78°F in the summer for energy-efficient results.”
If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set it to automatically turn up or down without lifting a finger or having to remember.
For the best results, turn your thermostat to 86 degrees when you’re away and watch that extra money stack up.
Ready for more money-saving hacks?
Get a Wi-Fi thermostat. Upgrade to a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat, available on georgiapowermarketplace.com. Residential customers may qualify for up to a $75 instant rebate on a thermostat purchase.
Change air filters. Change standard air filters once a month, or pleated filters once every three months, to help your system run more efficiently.
Make your home weather-safe. Caulk and weatherstrip around your windows and doors. If the caulking is cracked, or the weatherstripping is damaged or peeling, replace the old material.
Mind your lights. Turn off lights when they’re not in use. To help you remember, try leaving eye-catching reminders next to light switches and doorways.
Do your research. Look for an ENERGY STAR® label when purchasing new appliances and electronics to save on your energy bill.
Check out your vents. Keep air vents clear of obstruction to help your heating and cooling system operate more efficiently.
Have any more questions? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published July 25, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
