Afternoon highs are on track to approach or achieve their daily records on Thursday and Friday over parts of South Carolina.
A large high pressure ridge over the central Gulf coast will move over the state later this week. Underneath this high, ample sunshine and a warm air mass will boost temperatures well into the 80s. Columbia's forecast high of 87 and Charleston's forecast of 84 on Thursday will be within 1 degree of their records. A similar setup on Friday is likely to bring Charleston again close to its record high, and Myrtle Beach is likely to close in on its record, too.
Those areas that do not tie or surpass their record highs will experience well above normal temperatures. Average highs are mostly in the mid to upper 70s for mid October.
Another warm day is on tap on Saturday before a cold front clears the state late Saturday and Saturday night. Clear skies and near average October temperatures are likely behind the front statewide over the second half of the weekend into early next week.
