If it seems even hotter than usual for this time of year, that's because it is.

Florida is almost always hot in June, but temperatures through the first part of the month have been running above normal, according to Bay News 9 meteorologist Juli Marquez.

And Florida is hardly alone. The early weeks of summer have had no mercy accross the Southeastern United States. In fact, it's so hot in Altanta this week that city officials are allowing anyone to use 11 public swimming pools for free.

And in southeast Georgia and southwest South Carolina, heat index values were expected to reach 105 to 112 degrees.

"We've had 100 degree days in May before," said Wes Tyler of the South Carolina State Climatology Office. "It's not uncommon, but it's unusual to have a stretch of 100 degree heat this early in June. The only place that you can really escape the heat here in South Carolina is in probably the mountain valleys near moving water, or some of the higher summits that are forested."

John Moore III, a forecaster in Memphis, Tennessee, says it's unusual for temperatures there to rise so high in June.

He says the normal high temperature in Memphis in late June is usually about 90 degrees, while the forecast highs early this week are 95 degrees for Monday, 98 degrees for Tuesday and 97 degrees for Wednesday.

"That's getting up toward record-breaking heat levels," Moore said.

Marquez said the Tampa Bay area has been hotter than normal this week, with afternoon temperatures in the low 90s in Tampa and mid 90s inland. The average high in Tampa for this time of year is 90 degrees.

"The dew points have been in the low to mid 70s,' Marquez said. "The heat index has been around 100 to 105 each afternoon, although a few areas such as Brandon have been around 110. In this type of heat, it’s important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and take frequent breaks in air conditioning if possible."

Florida is the most humid state in the country, said meteorologist Mallory Nicholls of News 13 in Orlando.

"The Sunshine State's prime location between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean allows for a lot of moisture to surge through the state," she wrote in a blog. " Parts of the state do experience less humidity than others depending on the season."

High humidity can cause health problems, such as asthma attacks and other respiratory issues. Even if you do not have health issues, this kind of oppressive humidity can make anyone uncomfortable.

Those living close to the coast can cool off easier than inland residents. Sea breezes generally keep the temperatures down a few degrees at the beach, especially early in the summer.

But plenty of Bay News 9 viewers are already suffering in what promises to be a long summer.

"It was not this hot when I was a kid," Shanna Hawkins posted on the BN9 Facebook page. "Even walking to the mailbox leaves me short of breath. My son, who does NOT have asthma, coughs when he goes outside. My kids are going crazy. They want to play but can't handle it. To beat the heat, we set the a/c to 65 and we don't step outside."

Added Wendy Birdseye Pavlus: "I moved here two years ago, and after the last few years, I am moving back north. I feel like it's winter in New York and you don't leave the house for four months. I never thought I would hear myself say, " I can't wait til October!" It's unusually hot in the Southeast right now anyway, but the heat here, plus a dew point of 74, is deathly!"

Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.