Beaufort County is bracing for a dangerous stretch of heat, with the National Weather Service issuing an extreme heat watch as forecasters predict temperatures will nearly hit 100 degrees Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The heat advisory already in effect Wednesday could escalate into an extreme heat warning if conditions worsen.
The National Weather Service’s Charleston branch says heat index values are forecast to top out at 116 degrees Friday and Saturday. That’s well above the threshold where heat-related illnesses become likely. The heat risk map places most of Beaufort County under its highest risk level—extreme—from Thursday through Saturday.
Understanding the difference between a heat advisory, watch, and warning can matter. A heat advisory is issued when hazardous heat conditions are occurring but aren’t severe enough for a warning. The Charleston NWS issues advisories when the heat index is forecast between 108 and 112. A heat watch, on the other hand, means conditions are ripe for an extreme heat event, but the timing and likelihood remain uncertain. An extreme heat warning is reserved for when an event is already underway—triggered by a heat index above 113.
Forecasters expect the warmest temperatures Thursday and Friday, with 100-degree highs possible. Combined with high humidity, that could push the heat index to 116 by the weekend. More advisories are expected through Saturday, and the watch may become a warning if the forecast holds. Thunderstorms are possible Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons and evenings, offering some late-day relief.
The heat will also limit overnight cooling, which is especially dangerous for people without access to air conditioning or hydration. Infrastructure could take a hit too, according to the NWS.
Meanwhile, in Columbia, WIS meteorologists have extended First Alert Weather Days all the way to Tuesday, citing a huge ridge of high pressure parked over the region. That ridge is trapping heat and humidity, keeping feels-like temperatures in the triple digits.
Thursday’s high in Columbia is expected in the upper 90s with a heat index around 107. Friday ticks closer to 100, feeling like 109. Saturday brings similar conditions, with a 30% chance of afternoon storms. Then Sunday through Tuesday highs remain scorching: 97, 100, and 98 degrees respectively. A stray shower or thunderstorm could offer brief relief, but the dominant story is the heat.
Forecasters warn that heat illnesses can be dangerous. The NWS recommends staying out of the sun, drinking plenty of water, and checking on vulnerable neighbors. With the extreme heat watch spanning days, the message is to take precautions seriously—even if the worst of the heat hasn’t arrived yet.
