Columbia, SC – Sweltering heat and afternoon thunderstorms are set to grip Columbia on Friday, July 11th, with impacts likely to ripple across the city’s busiest roadways and outdoor plans. Residents should prepare for highs reaching 94°F, oppressive humidity, and a 50% chance of thunderstorms after 2 p.m.—making road safety and heat precautions essential as summer peaks.
According to the National Weather Service, the heat index could soar as high as 100°F on Friday. Thunderstorms may bring brief heavy rain, gusty winds, and localized street flooding, especially near key corridors like I-126 and Gervais Street. Drivers are urged to slow down on wet roads, and outdoor workers should take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. Lightning could briefly disrupt outdoor sports or events, so seek shelter at the first sign of darkening skies.
Saturday keeps the heat on, with another high near 94°F and more scattered storms possible after midday. Storm chances persist through Sunday, as temperatures climb to 96°F. The weekend looks mostly sunny in the mornings, but scattered storms could bring sudden downpours by afternoon, raising the risk of flash flooding in low-lying areas and around Lake Murray.
Looking ahead, Monday brings another shot at strong afternoon storms with a high of 97°F. Storms grow even more likely Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs in the low 90s. Residents should secure outdoor furniture, keep mobile devices charged in case of outages, and monitor alerts for rapidly changing conditions.
Warnings remain in effect through Wednesday, with new advisories possible as severe weather threats continue into next week.
Five Day Bullet Point Forecast (Friday, July 11th – Tuesday, July 15th)
- Friday [94°F]: Partly sunny, chance of storms after 2 p.m. (50%). High heat index.
- Saturday [94°F]: Sunny early, storms likely after 2 p.m. (50%).
- Sunday [96°F]: Mostly sunny, scattered storms after 2 p.m. (40%).
- Monday [97°F]: Mostly sunny, hot, afternoon storms possible (50%).
- Tuesday [93°F]: Mostly cloudy, storms likely throughout the day (70%).
Stay weather aware and check back for the latest Columbia updates as summer storms continue to roll through the Midlands.