Lathan and Lawson Moss sold Gatorade® sports drinks Tuesday afternoon in downtown Gaffney to help residents cool down from the hot temperatures. (Ledger photo / SCOTT POWELL) Red-faced and sweaty.

That’s been the best description of county residents during the current heat wave. And it apparently will continue to be an apt description for the foreseeable future.

The Climate Prediction Center is calling for above-normal temperatures for August, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Scott Krentz.

“Generally August is a little warmer month anyway,” Krentz said.

The average high for this time of year is 89.

The wave of oppressive heat can be blamed on a upper level ridge that has remained over the Southeast, Krentz said.

“It’s not been displaced and it’s been maintaining,” he said.

The thermometer hit 96 on Sunday, tying a record set in 1958. On Monday, the Upstate tied another record when the temperature topped out at 99.

Some portions of the Upstate will get a brief reprieve later this week when a weak cold front is expected to drop temperatures into the lower 90s. The humidity is also expected to dip later this week.