The Palmetto State is known for its hot, humid summers, but because of the state's terrain, some areas are more prone to seeing extreme heat than others.
According to historical data, the hottest air temperature ever officially recorded across the state was a reading of 113 degrees Fahrenheit, which occurred on the University of South Carolina campus in Columbia on June 29, 2012.
The oppressive heat occurred during a widespread heat wave that impacted much of the eastern half of the nation during the summer of 2012.
The extreme heat was fueled by a strong ridge of high pressure that settled over the region, leading to Columbia seeing nearly two weeks of temperatures at or above 100 degrees.
South Carolina often sees warmer temperatures when a Bermuda High sets up east of the region, allowing for a southwestern flow. However, some of the state's warmest stretches have happened when winds come off the Appalachian Mountains, becoming trapped and compressed over parts of the Upstate and Midlands.
While the state's capital holds the all-time temperature record, other communities are not too far behind when it comes to the extreme heat.
Blackville, located in Barnwell County between Aiken and Orangeburg, reached an all-time high of 111 degrees Fahrenheit back in 1925.
Other locations across the Upstate and Midlands have also recorded temperatures well above 100 degrees during major heat waves.
The terrain of South Carolina plays a major role in how much temperatures vary across the state.
Communities in the higher elevations and along the coast typically experience slightly cooler temperatures, while inland locations have the potential to see a significant warm up.
The difference between inland and coastal temperatures usually runs around 10 degrees but can vary depending on ocean temperatures and the weather patterns at play.
Coastal communities benefit from the moderating influence of the Atlantic Ocean, which can help to cap temperatures. However, the same ocean influence can lead to additional moisture in the air, increasing humidity levels and creating dangerous heat index values.
South Carolina’s highest reported heat index occurred in Mount Pleasant along the coast, when estimates reached 124 degrees Fahrenheit on July 13, 2011.
During the event, nearby weather observation sites only recorded air temperatures ranging from 93 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit, but the oppressive humidity added more than 20 degrees to the feels-like temperature.
The heat index is a measure of how hot conditions feel to the human body when temperature and humidity are combined.
High humidity values make heat more dangerous because they slow the overall evaporation of sweat from the human body, limiting the natural cooling process.
Year-round, relative humidity values tend to be highest along and near the coast compared to more inland locations such as the Upstate and the Midlands.
York County is home to the lowest all-time record high temperature out of the state's 46 counties, with a record high of 104 degrees Fahrenheit from Jul. 1, 2012.
According to climate data, the warmest month of the year across the state is July, with August ranking as the second warmest.
