Long-standing temperature records will be challenged through the weekend as a ridge of high pressure settles over the Southeast, sending temperatures into summerlike territory.
Forecast models show the unseasonably hot and dry weather will persist through at least Saturday, with communities west of Interstate 95 potentially setting daily record highs.
In Greenville and across the Upstate, temperatures are expected to reach the upper 80s on Thursday, tying or setting records that date back to the 1800s, with the heat only intensifying into the weekend.
Columbia and nearby communities are also on track to reach or exceed record territory and will likely be among the hottest regions in the state.
Depending on how high temperatures climb, observation sites could not only set new daily records but also challenge April’s all-time record highs.
To reach all-time levels, temperatures would need to surge into the 96 to 97-degree range, but how high the mercury will ultimately climb will depend on local factors such as cloud cover and wind gusts.
The only relief from the heat will be along the immediate coastline, where highs are expected to range from the lower to upper 80s and will remain below the 90-degree mark.
Cooler-than-typical water temperatures have created a significant contrast between coastal and inland communities over the past several weeks, helping to limit air temperatures along the Atlantic.
The surge in warmth is being driven by an unusually strong upper-level ridge of high pressure which is commonly referred to as a “heat dome."
The heat dome is also squashing any meaningful chances of precipitation and allowing drought conditions to intensify.
At last report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly the entire state was experiencing drought conditions, with almost a quarter classified under extreme drought.
Drought leading to wildfires
The risk of wildfires is increasing across parts of the state as precipitation deficits continue to grow and the soil becomes increasingly dry.
In Marion County, in the eastern region of the Pee Dee, a large wildfire continues to burn, sending plumes of smoke toward the South Carolina–North Carolina border and reducing air quality readings.
Local officials said the Marion-Woodbury Road fire has grown to around 1,800 acres but was around 60% contained, as fire crews work towards full containment.
The wildfire is one of several burning across the Palmetto State, but fortunately most are in rural areas and have not caused major inconveniences or widespread evacuations.
Because of the ongoing fire dangers, the South Carolina Forestry Commission is urging residents to avoid outdoor burning, as conditions remain favorable for large, fast-moving wildfires.
Looking ahead, the extended forecast shows temperatures are expected to plunge to below average values next week as a strong cold front moves through the region. However, the frontal boundary is not expected to bring significant rainfall, meaning drought concerns will persist.