COLUMBIA, S.C. — The WLTX Weather Team has issued a News19 Weather Impact Alert Day for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday due to expected high heat indexes.
Dangerous heat index values, or "feels like temperatures," are forecasted to potentially lead to heat advisories issued for South Carolina. Criteria from the National Weather Service calls for a heat advisory when the heat index values reaches between 108 to 110 degrees.
Thursday high temperatures are forecasted to reach near 99 degrees by mid-afternoon, well above the normal late July average of 92 degrees.
This will allow morning low temperatures to be abnormally warm, resting into the mid to upper 70s before sunrise. Average late July morning low temperatures are 72 degrees.
In addition to the unseasonably high temperatures in the afternoon, there will be a constant feed of very moist, tropical moisture brought in from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, merging over the Palmetto State. Dew point temperatures will peak around 77 degrees which makes for very humid weather conditions. The combination of very hot temperatures and very humid weather conditions will be mid-afternoon heat index values between 108 to 113 degrees, in the shade, on Thursday and Friday.
It is very important to understand the significance of the impact this can do to the population. Heat index values above 105 to 108 needs us to take many precautions.
- If you have to be outdoors midday through sunset hours, take as many breaks as you can, and in a shaded area. Wind will not cool you down, not with these temperatures.
- Stay hydrated as much and often as possible. You can never drink enough water.
- If possible, limit the time you are outdoors, regardless whether you are or are not in the shade.
- Check on others to make sure they have a more than adequate means to either stay cool, or get to a place to stay cool. Inadequate indoor cooling is just as dangerous as the heat index values outdoors.
- Never ever leave any person or any pet in a vehicle. No matter how little time it may be for.
If there are any updates to this forecast we will post those here on WLTX.com and on News19.