Augusta heat index could top 100 degrees. Here's what to know

Javonte Gray, then 6, cools off in the water spray at the splash pad at the Charles H. Evans Community Center.
Javonte Gray, then 6, cools off in the water spray at the splash pad at the Charles H. Evans Community Center.

Although temperatures in Augusta are expected to be at 100 degrees for the next several days, the main counties in the Augusta-area, as of midday Monday, were not under a National Weather Service Heat Advisory issued for larger areas in Georgia and South Carolina.

The advisories are a result of a heat wave that ignited in the west last week, with southbound winds pumping the humid air to the southeast region. Temperatures have spiked by 10 to 30 degrees higher than what is normal for this time of year.

The overall weather pattern has been largely stuck in place for more than a week, which allowed heat to build across the central United States and desert southwest.

What is the Augusta weather forecast?

The National Weather Service predicts temperatures Monday, June 13, through Wednesday, June 15 could top 100 degrees with the heat index reaching 105 to 107 degrees. The hottest day is predicted to be Tuesday. The rest of the week is expected to fall just below 100.

What is a heat advisory?

A heat advisory is published by the NWS when the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create heat index readings of at least 105 degrees and very warm overnight temperatures.

While the Augusta-area was not under a hazardous weather advisory as of midday Monday, advisories were issued for Athens and Savannah. Both advisories recommended staying indoors with air conditioning as much as possible, and for those who have to spend time outdoors, taking extra precautions like wearing loose-fitting, light colored clothing and staying hydrated.

The advisories also recommend knowing the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, which include things like headaches, nausea and dizziness, according to the CDC.

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Are cooling centers open?

Richmond County cooling centers are typically open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, but call ahead before you go, and include:

  • Bernie Ward Center - 1941 Lumpkin Road - (706) 790-0588

  • Blythe Center - 3129 Highway 28 - (706) 592-4988

  • Carrie J. Mays Center - 1014 11th Ave. - (706) 821-2828

  • Henry H. Brigham Center - 2463 Golden Camp Road - (706) 771-2654

  • May Park - 622 Fourth St. - (706) 724-0505

  • McBean Center - 1155 Hephzibah/McBean Road - (706) 560-1814

  • Robert Howard Community Center at Diamond Lakes - 103 Diamond Lakes Way - (706) 826-1370

  • Sand Hills Center - 2540 Wheeler Road - (706) 842-1912

  • McDuffie Wood Center - 3431 Old McDuffie Road - (706) 771-2656

  • Warren Road Center - 300 Warren Road - (706) 860-2833

  • W.T. Johnson Center - 1606 Hunter Street - (706) 821-2866

Columbia County spokesperson Cassidy Harris said anyone needing to escape the heat can visit the Columbia County Library at 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd. in Evans, Patriot’s Park at 5445 Columbia Road in Grovetown, or any of the county’s other public facilities during normal operating hours.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta weather forecast: Heat index could top 100 degrees