GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Dangerous heat locks in across the Western Carolinas the rest of the week and into the Independence Day holiday weekend. Scattered thunderstorms also bring the threat for severe weather Thursday afternoon.
First Alert Days: Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Near record high temperatures build in for the next four days and the humidity makes it feel even worse during the afternoons. This is dangerous levels of heat and just remember, heat is the number one weather related killer in the US.
Day-by-Day Breakdown
Thursday: Heat Advisory is in effect from noon through 8 p.m. for the Upstate, Northeast Georgia and the foothills of North Carolina. These are the areas where feels like temps reach 105° to 107°. Limit your time outside during the afternoon as the heat can stress out the body quickly. Highs reach the upper 90s in the Upstate and mid 90s in the mountains. In fact, Asheville is expected to reach a high of 95° which would break the current record high of 93°.
It’s mostly sunny this morning helping to heat us up. But this afternoon we get scattered storms developing, mainly in the Upstate and Northeast Georgia. Any storms that develop could produce damaging winds and large hail.
Friday: Sunny skies dominate and the heat continues. Highs reach the upper 90s in the Upstate and in fact, could tie the record high of 99°. Mountains reach the mid 90s. Again, Asheville is expected to break the current record of 93° with a high of 94°. Afternoon storms are possible, mainly confined to the mountains and high terrain. Some storms could have damaging straight-line winds.
Saturday (Independence Day): Hot and sunny. Another dangerous heat day as highs climb into the mid to upper 90s. The humidity is a little lower than the last couple of days, but heat indices still climb to 101° to 104°. Isolated afternoon storms are possible, mainly in the mountains.
Sunday: Highs remain in the upper 90s in the Upstate and low-to-mid 90s in the mountains. The humidity is down another notch over Saturday, but we still get triple digit feels like temperatures in the Upstate. Afternoon thunderstorms develop across the mountains and higher elevations.
Next Week: A little drop in the heat arrives Monday as highs dip to the low to mid 90s. For many spots, it’s still about 5° above normal, but still south of record highs. The humidity starts to climb back up as more moisture returns to the area. This keeps our feels like temperatures in the low triple digits for the Upstate. The temperatures drop a little more each day, down to the low to mid 90s for Tuesday and Wednesday in the Upstate and the mid to upper 80s in the mountains.
A wetter pattern emerges as thunderstorms return to the forecast each day. While it doesn’t look like a wash out any day, each day brings scattered storms to the area. For now, there’s not an organized severe threat, but with the heat and humidity over the area, we can’t completely rule out some stronger storms.
What This Means for You
Stay Safe in the Heat: If you’re planning to be outside Thursday through Sunday, take frequent breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles—temperatures inside a parked car can reach lethal levels in minutes during extreme heat. Try to get outside early in the morning or in the evening when the sun angle is lower. Wear light weight, light colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Holiday Plans: If you’re celebrating Independence Day with outdoor activities, plan for early mornings or late evenings when it’s cooler. The peak heating window hits between 1-5 p.m., when heat index values reach their highest. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps your body regulate it’s temperature.
Storm Awareness: Afternoon thunderstorms are possible, especially Thursday in the Upstate and the in the mountains Friday, Saturday and Sunday. While most storms should remain isolated to scattered, any that do develop could be strong with large hail and damaging winds…