COLUMBIA, S.C. — Slightly cooler and drier air is moving into the area, promising a mostly sunny day with pleasant conditions for July. If you have been looking for a break from the typical July heat and humidity, today is the day. The break will not last long, the heat and humidity will return tomorrow.
High pressure is sitting to our north, bringing a gentle easterly and northeasterly breeze across the region. Some clouds are lingering in the southern parts, which might keep temperatures slightly higher there compared to other areas. However, most of us will experience the drier air, especially in the central and northern parts, where dewpoints are comfortably low.
Mostly sunny skies are expected today, with high temperatures in the upper 80s to lower 90s. The low dewpoints in the upper 50s and low 60s will keep it feeling nice and pleasant. In the southern part of the state, you may see a few isolated showers.
Tonight, the high pressure will shift, bringing a southeast breeze that will start to increase moisture levels again. Overnight temperatures will settle in the upper 60s to near 70 degrees.
On Wednesday and Wednesday night, the brief break from the heat and humidity will come to an end. The upper trough and front that brought the cooler air will retreat, and high pressure from the west will build back in. As a result, we'll start to see a return of Atlantic moisture and rising temperatures. Expect highs to reach the lower to middle 90s.
Thursday and Thursday night will continue the warming trend, just in time for Independence Day. High pressure will dominate, pushing temperatures back into the middle to upper 90s. With increased moisture, heat index values will soar between 100 and 105 degrees. Only a few isolated showers are expected in the southern areas. The night will be muggy, with lows in the middle 70s.
Enjoy today's beautiful weather while it lasts, and prepare for the return of typical July heat later in the week.