Beaufort County on second-consecutive day under a heat advisory, potential severe weather
.JPG "Beaufort County is on its second-consecutive day of high heat and a hazardous weather outlook on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.")
After a day of hazardous heat, lightning-filled skies and overnight rain, Beaufort County is in for more of the same throughout Tuesday.
The National Weather Service issued its second-consecutive heat advisory for the Lowcountry early Tuesday morning that’s set to begin at noon and lift by 8 p.m. It warns that for two hours in the afternoon, Beaufort could reach a dangerous heat index of 115 degrees. That’s eight steps higher than Monday’s heat index peak in the county.
A heat advisory is a maximum heat index temperature expected to be 100 or higher for at least two days, and it’s accompanied with evening air temperatures that do not fall below 75, the NWS explained.
Beaufort County was at a slight risk for severe thunderstorms Tuesday morning, meaning scattered severe thunderstorms are possible and will be short-lived and/or not widespread. From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., the Lowcountry could be hit with a round of severe thunderstorms, bringing frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, damaging winds and locally heavy rainfall, according to the service.
On Monday evening, predicted storms didn’t lash the county as expected, instead light rain fell and lightning didn’t cause damage, based on the NWS’ local storm report site. Lightning has been particularly hazardous in Beaufort County, with the NWS recording four lightning strikes all touching down on July 31. Two strikes hit houses, another zapped a transformer and the fourth knocked down a tree, according to the service.
Only about 60 households in the county lost power due to Monday night’s storm activity, according to PowerOutage.US.
The NWS’ hazardous weather outlook said wind gusts reaching up to 58 mph and frequent lightning is predicted to hit the Lowcountry on Tuesday evening. Strong winds can cause damage to trees, mobile homes, roofs and cars. They can also cause widespread power outages. With the potential to reach 70 mph wind gusts Monday evening, the service reported the highest gust of 43 mph at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.
According to a weekly weather summary published by the NWS’ Charleston office, there are no hazards expected Wednesday.
Listen to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Radio or go to weather.gov for more information about the following hazards.
Dealing with hazardous heat
Heat can be particularly pernicious when spending time in the water or near an ocean breeze, both tricking the mind that it’s slightly cooler. When there’s a heat advisory, it’s vital to stay hydrated, reschedule outside tasks to the early morning or evening and trade the baking sun for an air conditioned room.
Check on friends and neighbors during the dangerous heat, particularly the elderly, people with chronic conditions, pregnant women and infants. Children and pets should never be left alone in cars. Since the beginning of the year, 15 children have died from heat stroke in the United States.
Excessive heat kills more people most years than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined, according to the Scientific American.
When experiencing heat exhaustion or heat stroke, both conditions require that the person to move to a cooler place, have cool cloths placed on them or get in a cold bath, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
People experiencing heat exhaustion can sip water, but medical help is needed if they’re vomiting, symptoms are worsening or last longer than an hour. A heat stroke victim is a medical emergency that requires a 911 call. The person should not be given anything to drink.
Heat exhaustion
- Heavy sweating
- Cold, pale and clammy skin
- Fast, weak pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness or weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Fainting
Heat stroke
- Body temperature of 103 or higher
- Hot, red, dry or damp skin
- Fast, strong pulse
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Losing consciousness
This story was originally published August 8, 2023 at 8:58 AM.
