Columbia, SC (WLTX) - The Midlands could see an entire week of temperatures in excess of 100 degrees this coming week.
The current forecast is calling for the daily high temperature to reach 100 or higher through next Monday.
For today, the high is expected to reach 102 degrees, with a heat index of 108 degrees. We're expecting a high of 100 Tuesday, 102 again on Wednesday, but the highest heat will be as we move into the weekend.
On Friday, the high could get up to 103, and on Saturday, 105 may be possible, which, if that holds true, would be the hottest day of the year. Sunday and Monday would be 102 and 101, respectively.
There is a chance of an occasional afternoon thunderstorm each day.
If that forecast holds up, it would give us a stretch of nine straight days of 100 plus degree weather. On July 4, Columbia officially recorded a high of 101 degrees. On Sunday, we saw the hottest day of the year so far, when the temperature reached 104. Sunday also saw us set an all-time daily record for July 3 in Columbia.
It wasn't as if Saturday were cool either; the temperature that day reached 99.
With such oppressively hot weather, still to come here are some heat safety tips that you'll want to keep in mind over the next several days.
- Slow down: reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day.
- hildren, seniors and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
- Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
- Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads. If you pack food, put it in a cooler or carry an ice pack. Don't leave it sitting in the sun. Meats and dairy products can spoil quickly in hot weather.
- Drink plenty of water (not very cold), non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty. If you on a fluid restrictive diet or have a problem with fluid retention, consult a physician before increasing consumption of fluids.
- Do not direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90°F. The dry blowing air will dehydrate you faster, endangering your health.
- Minimize direct exposure to the sun. Sunburn reduces your body's ability to dissipate heat.
- Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
- Check on older, sick, or frail people who may need help responding to the heat. Each year, dozens of children and untold numbers of pets left in parked vehicles die from hyperthermia. Keep your children, disabled adults, and pets safe during tumultuous heat waves.
- Don't leave valuable electronic equipment, such as cell phones and gps units, sitting in hot cars.
You can always get the latest conditions by downloading WLTX's apps:
Weather App Phone: on.wltx.com/WLTX_Weather_iPhone
Weather App Android: on.wltx.com/WLTX_Weather_Android
iPhone app: on.wltx.com/1NTHH98
Android app: on.wltx.com/1NTHvXq
