GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – First Alert Weather Days continue for Friday, Saturday and Sunday as extreme heat doesn’t let up in the Western Carolinas. A few storms are possible this afternoon, mainly for the mountains. Next week brings a better chance for storms which helps to bring our temperatures down.
Friday – First Alert Weather Day
The intense heat continues with temperatures reaching the upper 90s in the Upstate and the mid 90s in the mountains—similar to yesterday. GSP is poised to tie the record high of 99° today while Asheville is expected to set another record high of 94° breaking the current record of 93°. A heat advisory is in effect again today for the Upstate, northeast Georgia and the North Carolina foothills as the heat index gets as high as 106° in these areas.
The morning is mostly sunny, but there is a chance for a few storms during the afternoon. The mountains see a better chance for storms between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. but the Upstate could also see a stray shower. Damaging straight-line winds are possible with any storms.
What to do: Stay hydrated. Seek out air conditioning or shaded areas frequently. Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles. If you have outdoor holiday plans, take frequent breaks indoors.
Independence Day – First Alert Weather Day
Saturday brings more of the same dangerous heat. The Upstate reaches the upper 90s once again but likely fall short of the record high of 100°. The humidity drops just a little bit but heat index values still peak around 100°-103°. The mountains stay slightly cooler in the mid-90s. It’s mostly sunny with a few pop-up showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the mountains.
What to do: Adjust your holiday plans to avoid peak heat hours (2-6 p.m.). Move picnics or outdoor activities to early morning or evening. A few thunderstorms could impact firework shows in the mountains. Check on elderly neighbors and those living alone.
Sunday – First Alert Weather Day
The heat persists into Sunday for one more First Alert Weather Day as highs once again soar into the upper 90s. The humidity is back up a touch so the heat index climbs to around 102°-104°. The mountains are slightly cooler with highs in the low 90s. A few storms are possible again during the afternoon, mainly for the mountains.
What to do: Continue heat safety precautions. Hydrate constantly. Outdoor activities should happen in the morning and the evening.
Monday Through Wednesday – Gradual Heat Relief
The oppressive heat finally starts to ease Monday, with Upstate temperatures dropping to the mid 90s and mountain highs in the upper 80s to around 90. Showers and thunderstorms become more likely than the previous days, especially during the afternoon.
Monday night into Tuesday brings chances of scattered to numerous thunderstorms as a weak upper-level disturbances move in. The main threat from any strong storms develops during peak heating hours with damaging wind gusts possible.
By Wednesday and Thursday temperatures ease further into the low 90s in the Upstate and mid-80s in the mountains, with continued chances of afternoon thunderstorms, although there is some indication there might be a drier trend on the way. We’ll keep an eye on this trend and if it holds, rain chances may drop.
What to do: Keep weather apps updated and multiple ways to receive warnings if storms develop. Stay alert during afternoon heating hours.
Your First Alert Takeaway
The Western Carolinas faces dangerous heat through Sunday. This isn’t just hot—it’s hazardous. Adjust outdoor plans, stay hydrated, and watch for afternoon/evening thunderstorms over the mountains through the weekend.
Relief arrives early next week, but it comes gradually. Stay with us for updates on timing for your specific area…