The first heat wave of the year has hit the Lowcountry. How hot will it get?
Don’t forget to grab your fans, water bottles and sunscreen as the year’s first heat wave makes its way to the Lowcountry.
“As heat indexes reach values of 98 to 102 degrees, it marks the first real multi-day heat episode of the year,” according to a statement from the National Weather Service.
While warm weather and humidity are no strangers to the South, it’s important to be reminded of the risks and precautions both locals and visitors should keep in mind during the warmer months.
When do heat waves happen?
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources states that heat waves generally occur during the summer months, but can still occur late in the spring and into the middle of fall.
Who is most at risk in the heat?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, homebound people and children under 5 are at higher risks of heat-related illness.
Everyone handles heat differently, especially if certain factors are at play, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health:
If the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat.
Age, weight, sunburns, medical conditions and certain medications can also disrupt how you handle heat.
Approximately 1,220 people die from extreme heat every year in the United States and it has been the leading cause of weather-related fatalities since 1991, the SCDNR states.
What are the symptoms of heat illness?
There are 3 stages of heat-related illness, according to the SCDPH:
Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms.
Headaches, nausea and feeling weak or dizzy.
Loss of large amounts of fluid by sweating, sometimes with excessive loss of salt.
Loss of the ability to sweat.
Red, hot, dry skin and confusion or loss of consciousness are signs of heat stroke.
If you experience the symptoms of heat stroke, call 911 right away.
The CDC states that heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable. Here are some other key tips for handling the heat in the Lowcountry this summer:
How to stay safe while at the beach
The National Institutes of Health found that beach sand can get over 100 degrees Fahrenheit when the outside temperature is only 75 degrees.
When temperatures rise to 90 degrees or higher, sand can be over 120 degrees.
This hot sand is notorious for causing burns on bare feet, which is most common when the sand reaches 111 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the NIH.
To combat this, the NIH recommends applying sunscreen to the tops of the feet and ears, which are the least protected areas from sun and heat exposure.
The hot sand can also be troublesome for your furry friend and cause burns to your pet’s paw pads.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states that pet owners should avoid walking their pet on hot sand and monitor their pet’s paw pads for blisters.
What about children?
Due to this increased risk, the NWS states that it is important to make kids aware of the dangers of heat and to monitor them for heat stress and heat-related illnesses.
Here are some tips from the CDC for children’s heat safety:
Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Make sure they’re drinking plenty of fluids. Stay away from really cold drinks or drinks with too much sugar.
Schedule outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day, like morning and evening hours.
Never leave infants or children in a parked car, even if the windows are open. According to the SCDPH, over 50% of child heatstroke fatalities are the result of a child being forgotten in a vehicle.
How to keep pets safe in the heat
Pets are also at a heightened risk of heat-related issues, according to the SPCA.
The organization offers these tips to keep your furry friends safe:
Give pets plenty of fresh, clean water, as pets can get dehydrated quickly.
Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun.
Be careful not to over-exercise them and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.
Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle.
Know that animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively.
Pets that are elderly, overweight or with heart or lung diseases should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool, lake or beach and rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from their fur.
Feel free to trim longer hair on your dog, but never shave your dog. The layers of dogs’ coats protect them from overheating and sunburn.
Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat.
Any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals.
Don’t let dogs linger on hot asphalt when the temperature is very high, as it can also burn paws.
Other heat-beating tips:
The SCDPH states that there were 209 hospitalizations and 1,814 emergency department visits for heat-related illness in South Carolina, according to the most recent data collection from 2022.
With warmer weather creeping in, the SCDPH offers these additional tips to stay cool:
Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day (typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
Take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
Drink plenty of water. If you are outdoors, drink 2- 4 glasses of at least 16 ounces of cool fluids every hour.
Avoid heavy meals at lunchtime & maintain a well-balanced diet.
Use sunscreen.
This story was originally published May 16, 2025 at 5:47 PM.
