Though the first day of summer is almost two weeks away, triple-digit temperatures are expected to heat up Richland County beginning this weekend and continuing through next week.
Temperatures for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are expected to reach at least 100 degrees, with heat indices rising as high as 106 on Tuesday.
“As the weekend approaches, the weather pattern will change. We’ll go from near normal afternoon temperatures to readings well above,” said Ken Aucoin, Richland County Emergency Planner and Chief Meteorologist. “Our average high for early-mid June is 89, but starting Sunday, temperatures will likely reach 100 or more. In addition, rain chances will be quite low.”
Residents should begin to set in motion special precautions as the season of high temperatures and heavy storms sets in. To protect themselves, family members and pets during hot weather, residents should:
• Drink at least a gallon of liquid per day, preferably water, when temperatures are above 90 degrees.
• Never leave a person or pet inside a car, where they can succumb to heat exposure very quickly.
• Stay inside during the hottest part of the day, if possible, which is typically from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
• Properly supervise children during outdoor play, being sure to monitor them closely and frequently.
• Visit elderly family members and friends twice a day to ensure cooling methods are working properly and inside conditions are safe.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can affect anyone. Signs include shallow breathing, clammy skin, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea and headache. If any of these symptoms occur, the at-risk person should immediately get out of the heat and drink cool fluids. If rapid improvement isn't seen, call 911.
Summer weather brings with it the potential for sudden storms, which can lead to damaging hail, flash floods and even tornadoes and hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and continues through November 30.
Richland County residents can sign up to receive weather notifications that are specific to their neighborhood via phone by clicking here. Notifications are only sent if there is a definite threat.
To understand the weather that’s happening all across the County, residents can visit www.RCWINDS.com, a groundbreaking new weather system that provides the most accurate local weather data available. RC WINDS is also available as a free mobile phone app.
For updated Richland County weather forecasts, tune in to RCTV, the County’s government access channel. RCTV is available on Digital Time Warner Channel 1302, Time Warner Channel 2 in some parts of the County and AT&T U-verse Channel 99.