Dangerous heat wave hitting Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry this weekend
Late July in Beaufort County can feel like the inside of a furnace and, for those who love the heat, this is your weekend. Saturday’s temperatures are expected to barely remain in the double digits with Sunday and Monday cresting into the 100 degree danger zone.
On top of the actual Fahrenheit measurements is the multiplier effect known as heat index. This measures what the actual temperatures feel like. Starting Friday, this index starts climbing to triple-digits in much of the Lowcountry and continues to rise into the weekend, according to National Weather Service.
Heat index considers effects of humidity along with air temperature to calculate how hot it will feel like for an individual.
Humidity affects the body’s ability to self regulate temperature. When the body is too hot, it starts to sweat, and when that evaporates, the body is able to cool off. In high humidity, evaporation slows and the body feels much warmer.
Heat index values upwards of 103 are considered dangerous; heat cramps and exhaustion are likely and prolonged exposure and physical activity could lead to heat stroke.
Dangerous temps
NWS said this “dangerous heat wave” will last from Saturday through Wednesday.
The Savannah area can see triple digit temperatures starting today while Beaufort reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit starting Friday. This heat will stay through the weekend and Monday will be the hottest with Beaufort hitting temperatures of 110 and the Savannah area hitting 114.
After Monday, temperatures will drop but continue to be in the triple digits into Wednesday.
Beaufort County does not have any cooling shelters, according to Hannah Nichols, the county’s Public Information Officer.
Boating Forecast
When temperatures reach 100 degrees, getting out on the water carries the same heat risk as going to the beach. Saturday’s breezes will be from the west at 5-10 knots and then move to a southwestern flow in the afternoon. Light winds will maintain that direction through the rest of the weekend. Ocean temperatures will hover in the mid-80’s and seas will be calm at 1-2 feet with a breeze that could measure into the low teens.
This story was originally published July 24, 2025 at 11:44 AM.