Columbia, South Carolina – South Carolina braces for a dangerous heat surge Friday, July 25, as Columbia eyes a 104°F heat index and 97°F air temp. With road surfaces potentially exceeding 130°F, travel on I-26 and surrounding highways could be hazardous by midday.
According to the National Weather Service, Friday’s high will approach 97°F under sunny skies, with humidity pushing real-feel temps to triple digits. Winds will shift southwest in the afternoon, doing little to relieve the oppressive conditions. Residents are urged to avoid extended outdoor exposure, stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable neighbors and pets.
The intense summer heat continues Saturday and Sunday, with Columbia forecast to reach 101°F Saturday and a sweltering 104°F by Sunday afternoon. Overnight lows won’t offer much relief, remaining in the high 70s.
Storm chances return late Monday, bringing scattered thunderstorms after 2 p.m. These could offer temporary cooling but also pose flash flood and lightning hazards. Light winds and saturated air could stall storm systems over parts of Richland and Lexington Counties.
Looking ahead, Tuesday stays hot near 102°F with partly sunny skies. By Wednesday, the area may see another round of thunderstorms as temps hover near 103°F — keeping Columbia locked in a humid and storm-prone pattern through midweek.
⚠️ Five-Day Forecast for Columbia, SC:
- Friday, July 25: Sunny, high 97°F (Heat Index 104°F), calm wind, extremely hot
- Saturday, July 26: Mostly sunny, high 101°F, low 79°F, intense heat
- Sunday, July 27: Hot and sunny, high 104°F, low 81°F
- Monday, July 28: Mostly sunny, storms after 2 p.m., high 103°F, low 79°F
- Tuesday, July 29: Partly sunny, high 102°F, storm chance returns by Wednesday
