Area residents should get a slight break from the heat wave that has enveloped the Palmetto State over the past weeks.
According to Jeff Linton, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Columbia, rain is headed this way, and temperatures are expected to drop a bit Saturday and Sunday. Linton predicted scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms today and "there will be more widespread thunderstorms on Saturday."
According to Linton, there is a 50 percent chance of rain today and 60 percent chance on Saturday.
Linton said the chance of rain is fairly low for the beginning of next week.
There will definitely be a break in the heat, Linton said.
Today's high will be around 98, but will decrease on Saturday to around 91.
Sunday should be a bit cooler with a high of around 87.
Next week, the highs should hover in the low 90s and heat up again next weekend, with highs of 99 predicted for next Friday and Saturday.
Linton offered advice to stay safe as the summer heat again returns.
In extreme heat, Linton stressed the importance to "drink plenty of water, wear light-colored clothing, limit time outside and spend as much time as you can in air-conditioned places."
Linton added the weekend thunderstorms are a chance for hazards, as well.
"The weather will be quite unstable today, tomorrow and Saturday," he said adding some storms could be considered severe. "If severe storms hit the area, put as many rooms between you and the outside as possible."
The break in the heat also will help local farm life.
At Hickory Hill Milk in Edgefield, owner Watson Dorn said the heat wave has taken a toll on the crops and livestock at the farm.
"Three weeks ago, before the heat wave, we were making 1,441 gallons of milk a day," said Dorn, adding that right now, the cows are producing 1,160 gallons per day.
"The rain should help dramatically with cooling the cows, and we are definitely thankful for the rain."
Will Whaley is the crime and court reporter for the Aiken Standard. He is a native of Fayette, Alabama and graduated from the University of North Alabama with a degree in journalism.