Columbia, SC (WACH) --- As the temperatures climbed on Thursday, sweat fell for folks outside.  At Columbia Metro Airport, something happened that we haven`t seen since 1954.  We saw a high temperature of 102 which tied the record for today.

In Augusta, GA at Bush Field, a new record high of 102 was set.  That broke the old record of 101 set in 1993.

The reason for the extreme heat in the Midlands and across a large part of the country is a ridge of high pressure.  This type of atmospheric setup pushes the jetstream way north allowing for warm, humid air from the south to overtake the United States.

Cooler temps look like they will return early next week as a cold front moves torward the area.  That front is expected to stall out over the area bringing an increased threat for scattered t-storms.