This September in Nashville was one of the driest, hottest on record

You were not imagining it.

September was really dry and really hot. 

In fact, it was one of the driest and one of the hottest Septembers on record in Nashville, said Brendan Schaper, a meteorologist with Nashville's National Weather Service office. 

A dry September

"The numbers show one of the driest, one of the hottest," Schaper said. "The drought monitor ... shows much of Middle Tennessee, including Nashville in a D1 intensity drought, which is the first-level drought — one step above abnormally dry." 

Only 0.02 inches of rain fell in September this year, making it the driest September on record, according to NWS data. Climate records for Nashville date back to 1871.   

A hot September

"High pressure had been stuck over the area leading to pretty much record heat for many days across Nashville," Schaper said.

September 2019 clocked in as the second hottest September on record with an average temperature of 80.4 degrees, according to NWS data. September 1925 has the top slot with 81.3 degrees. 

A hot 2019

It's also shaping up to be a hot 2019.

If the forecast for the week holds, 2019 could break the record for having the most days where temperatures hit 90 degrees or higher. 

As of Tuesday, 2019 has 96 days above 90 degrees, tying the top record set in 1954. 

"Based on the forecast, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday we have above 90 degree temperatures those three days," Schaper said. "We'll likely break the record."  

Relief in sight 

For those tired of the heat, there is good news ahead. 

"Temperatures look to fall back pretty nicely by the end of the week into the lower and middle 80s on Friday, Saturday and Sunday," Schaper said. "So there is relief in sight, but I can't promise that will be long lived." 

Reach Holly Meyer at hmeyer@tennessean.com or 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.