ATLANTA (AP) - Scientists with NASA say peak summer temperatures
in the Southeast could reach 110 degrees if climate change continues at its current pace.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Thursday that a new computer analysis by the Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York suggests that during July and August maximum daily temperatures in cities such as Atlanta could average 100 to 110 degrees.

The computer analysis also shows the high temperatures could reach as far north as Washington and Chicago.

The latest study is one of the first to look at potential weather extremes on a regional basis.

The findings are so recent that they are NOT included in this year's report on the impacts of warming issued last month by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

NASA researcher Barry Lynn said yesterday the analysis shows the potential for extremely hot summertime temperatures, especially during summers that have less than average rainfall.

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