Heat wave headed to the Upstate this weekend; heat advisories possible Sunday, Monday

You may have heard that the Upstate is in for a heat wave this weekend. Meteorologists say it could be a long one.

Trisha Palmer with the National Weather Service at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport said Friday morning’s forecast shows highs in the 90s through next Tuesday.

A high of around 90 is expected in the Upstate today, rising to 93 on Saturday, 94 on Sunday, and up to 96 on Monday and Tuesday.

Palmer noted a chance of rain coming in next Thursday, though forecasts that far in advance are more likely to change.

“We sort of test that the Southeast is where fronts come to die in the summer,” Palmer said. “It’s a fairly strong front as it moves through the Ohio Valley and then it comes down here and it weakens, so we’ll just see how well it holds together.”

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Will a heat advisory be issued?

Palmer said the National Weather Service at GSP will monitor the heat indices Sunday and especially Monday when the relative humidity in combination with the high temperatures could result in days that feel like they’re over 100 degrees.

“Once it feels like it's over 105, we issue a heat advisory. So we'll be keeping an eye on that,” Palmer said.

Palmer noted that while it will be quite warm this weekend, it will be nothing out of the ordinary for a South Carolina summer.

“It's not atypical at all that we see this kind of heat,” Palmer said. “Folks just need to take their normal heat precautions.”

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What is a heat advisory?

According to the National Weather Service, a heat advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions.

The general rule of thumb for this Advisory is that the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 100° or higher for at least 2 days and nighttime air temperatures will not drop below 75°.

NWS advises people to take precautions to avoid heat illness. If they don't, they may become seriously ill or even die.

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What is a heat dome?

Per AccuWeather, the term "heat dome" describes a sprawling area of high pressure promoting hot and dry conditions for days or weeks. It is similar to a balloon in how it expands and contracts as the day progresses. When a particular area is inside it, it can feel very warm. A heat dome can interfere with the production of clouds, leading to increased sunlight and high temperatures. In turn, the cooling demand will increase, boosting the strain on a region's power grid. Drought conditions may also develop due to extended dry and hot spells.

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NOAA shares how to prepare for the heat

∎ Make sure the air conditioner is functioning properly. If your home does not have air conditioning or loses power, visit a designated cooling shelter or other air-conditioned location such as the mall or public library.

∎ Check on friends, families, neighbors, and pets to ensure they are safe in the heat. It is important to check on those who live alone or do not have air conditioning.

∎ Never leave children, dependents, or pets unattended in vehicles. The sun can heat the inside of the car to deadly temperatures in minutes.

∎ Wear loose clothing that is light-colored and covers the skin.

∎ Hydrate with water throughout the day, avoiding caffeine and sugary beverages.

∎ Set aside one gallon of drinking water per person a day in case of a power outage.

∎ Keep out of the sun and stay indoors on the lowest level. Curtains and shades should be closed.

∎ Immerse yourself in a cool bath or shower. Cooling your feet off in water can also help.

∎ If temperatures are cool at night, let the cool air in by opening windows.

∎ If you are outside, stay in the shade. Apply sunblock and wear a wide-brimmed hat before going outside.

∎ To avoid heat exhaustion, do not engage in strenuous activities. Use a buddy system and take breaks in the shade when working in extreme heat.

∎ For critical updates from the National Weather Service (NWS), tune into NOAA Weather Radio.

For more heat safety information, visit weather.gov/heat or heat.gov.

Cooling Centers?

Contact local 2-1-1 for assistance and referrals to cooling centers, according to the National Center for Healthy Housing.

We will update you if cooling centers are opened in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson counties.

Nina Tran contributed to this article.

Samantha Swann covers city news, development and culture in Spartanburg. She is a University of South Carolina Upstate and Greenville Technical College alumna. Contact her at sswann@shj.com or on Instagram at @sam_on_spartanburg.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Heat wave headed to the Upstate this weekend; heat advisories possible