Augusta residents should expect temperatures in the high 90s for the rest of the week, with no reprieve in sight.
The National Weather Service has issued a continuous, multi-day heat advisory covering Augusta this week. Rather than separate daily alerts, a single extended advisory has been active since Sunday, Aug. 15, rolling into recurring advisory periods through at least midweek.
"Our criteria for a heat advisory starts with heat indices that are at least 108 degrees Fahrenheit," said Drew Hickok, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina. "Above the heat advisory would be the extreme heat warning, which would be issued for heat indices greater
than 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Luckily, we haven't had to issue one this year."
Climate change affects the environment in many different ways, including rising temperatures, sea level rise, drought, flooding, and more, according to experts with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. These events affect water, energy, transportation, wildlife, agriculture, ecosystems, and human health.
Forecast for the Augusta area
- Wednesday: High 99, low 75.
- Thursday: High 101, low 76.
- Friday: High 100, low 74.
- Saturday: High 95, low 73.
- Sunday: High 97, low 73.
"The advisory is based on the heat index," Hickok said. "The temperature may be 99, but with the moisture, heat index values can reach 108."
Hickok said temperatures generally have been above normal in the Augusta area.
"For reference, the average high temperature in the Augusta area in mid-July is around 94 degrees," he said. "By this point in the year, the average temperature is around 92 or 93. Yesterday, it was about 102 degrees in the region. We've generally been running 5 to 10 degrees above normal for the past week or so."
Hickok said the weather isn't uncommon.
"This is the time of year, the middle of summer in the Southeast, so it's always hot and humid," he said. "But temperatures running 5 to 10 degrees above normal are a little more intense. That's why we've had those heat advisories."
Hickok said the showers and storms that could help cool temperatures have been very isolated, and that's the reason for the extended period of heat.
"In general, to see that kind of shift to cooler temperatures, we'd want to see more widespread rain," he said. "As we get later into August, it becomes more likely that a front will be able to make it down here. Throughout the summer, it's not very common for fronts to make it this far south."
Hickok said the pattern typically changes later in August as the region transitions toward fall.
"We may start seeing some fronts near the area, and that could help cool us off," he said.
Staying hydrated and having access to a cool place are the two biggest concerns during prolonged periods of high temperatures, Hickok said.
"During these prolonged periods of heat, temperatures don't recover much overnight," he said. "The past couple of mornings have been very warm and muggy. Just because you're not experiencing the peak heat of the day doesn't mean there isn't a risk if you're not staying hydrated or don't have access to a cool place."
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Highs near 100 keep Augusta under extended heat advisory
