Wednesday afternoon featured mostly sunny skies and was quite warm. The highs in the afternoon reached the upper 80s throughout most of the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry. Humidity levels have been on the rise because of a southwesterly flow, resulting in today’s heat index values ranging from the upper 80s to lower 90s.

The rest of the week is expected to bring even hotter and more humid afternoons. High temperatures in the afternoon will range from the low to mid 90s from Thursday through the weekend.

Heat index values will be in the upper 90s to over 100°F on Friday and Saturday.

A weak disturbance is expected to swing through the southeast on Sunday which may lead to a few isolated showers or storms.

Temperatures will remain above normal in the lower 90s as that system clears out early next week.

If you have plans to be outdoors over the next several days, it’s important to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks in the shade to cool down.