Can you handle the heat? Columbia cranks it up to 100
Sunday marked the hottest day of the year so far for Columbia residents.
As of mid-afternoon, the temperature was 97 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. And a Weather Service forecast called for a high of 100 degrees later in the day.
That would tie the record for the date’s hottest temperate in Columbia – 100 degrees set on June 12 in 1977, according to Weather Service meteorologist Dan Miller. But, Miller added, weather like this isn’t unusual.
“There are some summers where we never hit 100 at all and others where we reach it a dozen times,” Miller said.
The first 100-degree temp of 2016 comes just a bit earlier than last year, which reached 100 degrees on June 15, according to Weather Service records.
Along with most of the United States, Columbia is expected to have higher-than-average temperatures this summer, Miller said.
As temperatures rise, folks rely on their air conditioners more heavily. July and August are peak power-usage months during the summer, according to Eric Boomhower, spokesman for SCE&G.
Hot weather is expected to continue through the week, with the Weather Service forecast calling for a high near 97 degrees on Tuesday.
The most times Columbia has hit temperatures of 100 degrees or higher in one summer is 28 – in 1954, according to Weather Service records going back to 1887.
Glen Luke Flanagan: 803-771-8305, @glenlflanagan
Staying cool
Some tips on staying cool and avoiding heat exhaustion during the summer months
▪ Wear light-weight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing
▪ Drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages
▪ Don’t leave children or pets in a closed vehicle
▪ Check on elderly family members and neighbors
▪ Avoid strenuous activity, especially during peak daylight hours
This story was originally published June 12, 2016 at 3:33 PM with the headline "Can you handle the heat? Columbia cranks it up to 100."