A scorching heat wave has broken temperature records in at least four Georgia cities.

The National Weather Service reported Sunday that temperatures reached 105 degrees in Atlanta, breaking a record of 99 degrees set in 1954. It was even hotter in Athens, where the thermometers reached 108 degrees, beating a record set in 1927 by five degrees.

Macon broke a record when the heat in the central Georgia city reached 108 degrees, besting a record of 103 degrees set in 1954. Columbus also set a record when temperatures hit 105 degrees. The previous record there was 99 degrees set in 2007.

Authorities across the region have waived pool fees and opened up cooling centers to help residents cope with the extreme temperatures.

Tags: summer, National Weather Service, temperature, heat