The heat is on in Covington County, as several heat records are expected to be broken.

The National Weather Service in Mobile forecasts near-record levels or record level temperatures, including a record-breaking 101 degrees for Saturday, which trumps the 100-degree record set in 1998.

Today, temperatures are expected to soar just shy of the 1978 record at 98 degrees. On Friday, temperatures will increase to 99 degrees, just shy of the 1978 record of 100 as well. On Sunday, temperatures will be 99 degrees, just shy of the 1998 record. Monday will shatter the 1990 record with 99-degree temperatures.

According to the NWS, Saturday’s heat index will be 105 degrees and on Sunday, it will be 106 degrees.

Heat indices of 105 or greater put residents in extreme danger of heat disorders with prolonged exposure or strenuous activity.

Tuesday will tie the record set back in 1993 at 99 degrees; Wednesday temps will stay at 99 for the Fourth of July holiday and break the 98-degree record set in 1979.

Temps will be slightly cooler on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of next week, with 97, 95, 93-degree temps.

National Weather Service meteorologists say the high temperatures are due to a “bubble.”

“There is a bubble of high pressure that is going to settle over much of the U.S., creating an environment that will not allow for much of a cool down,” said NWS meteorologist Jessica Talley. “This bubble will allow temperatures to crawl into the triple digits across Alabama.”

Meteorologists refer to the bubble as a “ridge of high pressure,” and they aren’t sure how long the ridge is going to stay around.

The NWS website offers tips for combating heat. Advice includes drinking plenty of water, staying in an air-conditioned room and keeping out of the sun. You should also check on older neighbors and relatives, and make sure that pets have plenty of water to drink and a shady place to cool off.