South Carolina, situated in the southeastern United States, has a humid subtropical climate characterized by long, hot, and muggy summers. The state’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream contributes significantly to this warmth, particularly during the peak summer months. While residents are accustomed to daily high temperatures in the 90s Fahrenheit, the official climate record captures rare, extreme events. These documented meteorological extremes provide a scientific benchmark for understanding the state’s capacity for intense heat.
The Record-Breaking Temperature
The highest official temperature ever recorded in South Carolina reached \(113^\circ\)F. This record was set in Columbia, at the University of South Carolina weather station, on June 29, 2012. This extreme reading occurred during a significant heat wave that followed a period of persistent high pressure and drought across the Southeast. Before this event, the state record had stood at \(111^\circ\)F. The 2012 temperature was part of a prolonged period of intense heat in the capital city, where temperatures remained at or above \(100^\circ\)F for eleven consecutive days.
Understanding South Carolina’s Extreme Heat
South Carolina’s humid subtropical climate is primarily responsible for the consistently high summer temperatures. The state’s weather patterns during the warm season are largely dominated by the Bermuda High, a semi-permanent high-pressure system over the Atlantic. This system draws a persistent flow of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean inland, resulting in high humidity levels that accompany the heat.
Typical summer high temperatures often range from the upper 80s to the mid-90s, but maximum daily temperatures can regularly exceed \(100^\circ\)F in the central and western parts of the state. The combination of high air temperature and high relative humidity dramatically increases the heat index, which is the temperature the human body perceives. The hottest conditions typically occur in the mid-summer months, generally late June through August, when the sun angle is highest and the Bermuda High is most strongly established.
Ensuring Accuracy in Climate Data
Official temperature records, such as the \(113^\circ\)F reading, undergo a rigorous validation process overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC). These committees evaluate potential new records to ensure they meet strict meteorological standards for accuracy and consistency. Data is typically collected through a network of monitoring stations, including Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) and the Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) stations.
To be considered valid, the equipment must adhere to specific siting and exposure standards. Instruments must be placed in a standardized shelter, shielded from direct sunlight, and situated at a consistent height above a natural ground surface.
In the case of the 2012 record, the SCEC reviewed the measurements from two stations that reported \(113^\circ\)F. They ultimately accepted the reading from the Columbia University of South Carolina site because its equipment placement and exposure were deemed closer to established standards. This validation process is designed to ensure that the reported extremes reflect actual atmospheric conditions rather than localized, non-standard influences.