Columbia residents will sweat through another late-summer surge as temperatures climb into the mid-90s through the weekend before cooler fall air moves in.
According to the National Weather Service, sunny skies and highs between 91 and 96 degrees will dominate central South Carolina Thursday through Saturday. Friday night football games across the Midlands could feel more like July than September, with kickoff temperatures still near 90 and little breeze. Commuters on I-26 and I-77 should plan for extended heat inside vehicles and pack extra water.
Thursday begins mostly sunny with a high near 91. Light southwest winds may offer little relief during peak afternoon hours. By Friday, conditions grow hotter, reaching 94 degrees under clear skies. Saturday pushes even further, with Columbia expected to hit 96—making it one of the hottest early September days in years.
Nighttime brings some relief, with lows in the upper 60s to near 70. Still, heat trapped in city neighborhoods could linger late into the night. Officials advise residents to limit strenuous outdoor activity, check on vulnerable neighbors, and never leave children or pets in cars.
A shift arrives Sunday night into Monday, when partly cloudy skies and highs in the low 80s will finally ease the heat. The chance for showers returns Tuesday, hinting at the season’s first true fall cooldown.
Five Day Forecast for Columbia, SC:
- Thursday: Sunny, high near 91. Low around 68.
- Friday: Sunny, high near 94. Low around 70.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, high near 96. Low around 70.
- Sunday: Partly cloudy, high near 88. Low around 70.
- Monday: Partly sunny, high near 83. Low around 67.
