Even worse heat than over July 4th coming to SC Lowcountry. Here’s what to expect, and when
Independence Day weekend was hot. And forecasts show greater heat on the way this week.
Heat index values peaked at around 110 degrees over the weekend. A heat advisory was issued Monday for the Lowcountry, warning of heat index values of 110. The National Weather Service forecasts potentially higher values this week, and a highest-level risk of heat-related impacts for parts of the Lowcountry.
Here’s what you need to know about this week’s extreme heat:
What’s the forecast?
A forecast discussion from NWS’s Charleston branch states heat advisories may be needed beyond Monday due to the extreme heat. The NWS places most of the Lowcountry under a major heat risk through Wednesday, and then an extreme heat risk from Thursday to Saturday for Bluffton and Hilton Head. Extreme is the NWS’s highest risk of heat-related impacts. Heat-related illness is likely with long exposure, and overnight temperatures are unlikely to cool below 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The NWS forecast shows a hot, humid week ahead. Temperatures across the Lowcountry are forecast to be in the upper 90s, and increase as the week progresses. Heat index values could exceed 110 degrees each day. Here’s Tuesday’s heat index forecast for your town:
- Bluffton: high of 112
- Hilton Head Island: high of 111
- Beaufort: high of 110
- Port Royal: high of 112
Heat index values across the Lowcountry could peak at 113 on Wednesday, according to NWS forecasts.
Some daily high temperature records may be broken this week as well, according to the discussion. Beaufort and Bluffton may approach 100 degrees Saturday.
As for rainfall, the forecast shows very little. A 20% chance of thunderstorms is present for both Monday and Tuesday, while the remainder of the week is forecast sunny. Isolated showers and storms may be possible throughout the week, according to the discussion.
Here’s the overall forecast for Beaufort County as it stands on Monday, July 6:
- Monday: High of 94, low of 81. 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms overnight.
- Tuesday: High of 95, low of 81. 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms overnight.
- Wednesday: High of 97, low of 81
- Thursday: High of 97, low of 82
- Friday: High of 97, low of 81
- Saturday: High of 98, low of 79. 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms overnight.
The forecast can change. Check the NWS forecast daily for updates.