When those High School Football Friday night lights return, South Carolinians gain cooler temperatures as each game moves deeper into the season, however during the first few weeks, summer’s heat still finds ways to linger.
The hottest part of the day usually occurs from noon until five in the evening, when temperatures across the state often climb into the nineties and humidity pushes the heat index even higher. In Columbia, average August daytime highs are around 90 degrees making football practices and outdoor activities especially challenging.
Football season is one of the highest risk periods for heat-related illnesses as athletes are often training, lifting weights and scrimmaging. Health sports medicine experts emphasize hydration, acclimatization, and monitoring weather conditions to reduce the risk of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Acclimatization refers to the process or results of becoming accustomed to new climates and conditions that help athletes’ bodies prepare for exercise in the heat. Allowing athletes to perform better and safer in hotter conditions.
By kickoff, conditions are usually improving. The sun is lower or has set, eliminating direct heat and allowing temperatures to gradually fall. However, South Carolina’s humidity can keep evenings feeling muggy. Heat stored in turf, pavement, and bleachers can continue affecting comfort levels well into the night.
In the showdown between extreme heat and Friday night lights, nighttime has the advantage. As much as the scoreboard updates so does weather, stay updated online at South Carolina ETV and Public Radio.