Hilton Head-area heat indexes expected to hit triple digits Sunday. What to know
Officials are asking residents of Hilton Head Island and surrounding areas to hydrate and stay indoors if possible as the East Coast braces for another day of potentially dangerous temperatures.
Large parts of coastal Georgia and South Carolina, including Beaufort County, will be under a heat advisory from noon until 6 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service’s Charleston office. The agency reminded residents to look out for signs of heat-related illnesses and to be mindful of vulnerable populations like children, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.
Forecasts for the Beaufort area show temperatures are expected to top out at 95 degrees Fahrenheit around 3 p.m. Sunday, with a peak feels-like temperature of 107 degrees. Heat index values above 103 degrees are classified as dangerous by the NWS.
The excessive heat can be attributed to a heat dome currently blanketing the eastern half of the U.S., bringing above-average and potentially record-breaking temperatures to millions of Americans. The heat dome’s effects are expected to linger through Independence Day weekend.
“Please take this heat seriously. A few simple precautions can save lives,” the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office wrote on social media Friday morning. The department advised residents to drink plenty of water, “even if you don’t feel thirsty,” and to never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle.
How to stay safe during a heat wave
On average, more Americans die each year from extreme heat than any other extreme weather event, according to the NWS. Over 500 people in the U.S. died from heat-related illnesses in 2024, the agency reported.
If you need to be outside for a long time, the Centers for Disease Control recommends you stay in the shade whenever possible, stay hydrated and plan activities during the coolest parts of the day. Still, nighttime temperatures in the Hilton Head area are expected to remain at or above 80 degrees during this heat wave.
Extreme heat exposure can cause minor or very serious illness. Heatstroke is particularly dangerous, and it occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. Body temperatures of those affected can quickly rise to 106 degrees or higher.
Here are the major symptoms of heatstroke, according to the CDC:
- Confusion, altered mental status and slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
- Seizures
- Very high body temperature
If someone exhibits these symptoms, move them to a cool or shady area and remove their outer clothing. Call 911 and use whatever means available to apply cool water to the victim.
This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 10:25 AM.
