Columbia, SC – Fall officially begins today at 2:19 p.m., but it won’t feel like it across South Carolina. The first week of the new season will bring above-average heat with highs climbing into the 90s before storm chances arrive later in the week.
According to the National Weather Service Columbia, Monday begins warm with highs near 89 degrees. Temperatures will continue to rise, peaking in the mid-90s by Wednesday before easing slightly to 93 degrees on Thursday. By Friday, highs are expected to fall closer to the seasonal average at 85 degrees.
Forecasters note that the start of the week will remain mostly dry, but conditions will shift as a front approaches. “Chances for showers and thunderstorms increase Thursday and Friday,” the weather service reported. While severe weather is not yet certain, storms could impact commutes and outdoor plans heading into the weekend.
The average high for late September in the Midlands is around 85 degrees, meaning much of the week will feel more like midsummer than fall. Meteorologists remind residents to stay hydrated and cautious during outdoor activities, especially during the hotter afternoons Tuesday through Thursday.
This week marks the autumnal equinox, when day and night are nearly equal in length across the globe. While the calendar says fall, residents in Columbia and surrounding counties can expect summer-like conditions before a more seasonal pattern arrives.
