Weekly swim report · August 21, 2026

South Carolina swim report

On August 21, 2026 the warmest USGS water reading in South Carolina was 92°F at WANDO RIVER AT CAINHOY BELOW WANDO, SC; 16 water-related NWS hazards are active.

Warmest water

The 5 warmest of 68 sensors reporting a water temperature in South Carolina today. Station names open the official monitoring page.

#1
WANDO RIVER AT CAINHOY BELOW WANDO, SCUSGS gauge
92°F 33°C9 hrs ago
#2
STONO RIVER AT MAIN RD BELOW RANTOWLES, SCUSGS gauge
92°F 33°C9 hrs ago
#3
SALUDA R NEAR PROSPERITY, SCUSGS gauge
91°F 33°C9 hrs ago
#4
AIW AT GRAND STRAND AIRPORT N. MYRTLE BEACH, SCUSGS gauge
91°F 33°C9 hrs ago
#5
AIW AT HIGHWAY 9 AT NIXONS CROSSROADS, SCUSGS gauge
91°F 33°C9 hrs ago

Active hazards in South Carolina

Alerts cover counties or forecast zones — an alert for an area does not mean every river or beach inside it is affected. Times are local to the issuing office.

Stay outSevere Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Fairfield, SC; Newberry, SC; Richland, SC.
NWS Columbia SC · until Aug 21, 4:00 PM
Stay outSevere Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Chester, SC.
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC · until Aug 21, 3:45 PM
Stay outSevere Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Columbia, GA; McDuffie, GA; Richmond, GA; Aiken, SC; Edgefield, SC; McCormick, SC; Saluda, SC.
NWS Columbia SC · until Aug 21, 4:15 PM
Stay outSevere Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Edgefield, SC; Newberry, SC; Saluda, SC.
NWS Columbia SC · until Aug 21, 4:00 PM
Stay outSevere Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Chester, SC.
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC · until Aug 21, 4:15 PM
Stay outSevere Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Aiken, SC; Edgefield, SC; Saluda, SC.
NWS Columbia SC · until Aug 21, 3:45 PM
Stay outSevere Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Lexington, SC; Newberry, SC; Richland, SC; Saluda, SC.
NWS Columbia SC · until Aug 21, 3:45 PM
Stay outSevere Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Bladen, NC; Columbus, NC; Robeson, NC; Dillon, SC; Horry, SC.
NWS Wilmington NC · until Aug 21, 4:15 PM
CautionHeat Advisory
A Heat Advisory is in effect for Beaufort; Coastal Colleton; Charleston; Coastal Jasper; Tidal Berkeley.
NWS Charleston SC · until Aug 21, 8:00 PM
CautionHeat Advisory
A Heat Advisory is in effect for Columbus; Inland Pender; Coastal Pender; Inland New Hanover; Coastal New Hanover; Inland Brunswick; Coastal Brunswick; Coastal Horry; Inland Georgetown; Coastal Georgetown; Central Horry; Northern Horry.
NWS Wilmington NC · until Aug 21, 8:00 PM
CautionSevere Thunderstorm Watch
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Bladen, NC; Brunswick, NC; Columbus, NC; New Hanover, NC; Pender, NC; Robeson, NC; Darlington, SC; Dillon, SC; Florence, SC; Georgetown, SC; Horry, SC; Marion, SC; Marlboro, SC; Williamsburg, SC.
NWS Wilmington NC · until Aug 21, 9:00 PM
CautionSevere Thunderstorm Watch
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Cabarrus, NC; Cleveland, NC; Gaston, NC; Lincoln, NC; Mecklenburg, NC; Union, NC; Abbeville, SC; Cherokee, SC; Chester, SC; Greenwood, SC; Laurens, SC; Spartanburg, SC; Union, SC; York, SC.
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC · until Aug 21, 9:00 PM
CautionSevere Thunderstorm Watch
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Burke, GA; Columbia, GA; Lincoln, GA; McDuffie, GA; Richmond, GA; Aiken, SC; Bamberg, SC; Barnwell, SC; Calhoun, SC; Chesterfield, SC; Clarendon, SC; Edgefield, SC; Fairfield, SC; Kershaw, SC; Lancaster, SC; Lee, SC; Lexington, SC; McCormick, SC; Newberry, SC; Orangeburg, SC; Richland, SC; Saluda, SC; Sumter, SC.
NWS Columbia SC · until Aug 21, 9:00 PM
Heads-upSpecial Weather Statement
A Special Weather Statement is in effect for Marlboro; Dillon; Florence; Marion.
NWS Wilmington NC
Heads-upSpecial Weather Statement
A Special Weather Statement is in effect for Mecklenburg; York.
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Heads-upSpecial Weather Statement
A Special Weather Statement is in effect for Union; Chester.
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Where to swim in South Carolina

The most-reviewed, well-rated water destinations in South Carolina — check each one’s live conditions before you go.

4.7(3,007)

Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park

Park · Columbia, South Carolina

Old pump houses shed light on the canal works amid natural hiking & biking trails & picnic tables.

Can I swim today? →

4.7(2,943)

West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater

Nature preserve · West Columbia, South Carolina

This park on the Congaree River features an amphitheater & connects with the Three Rivers Greenway.

Can I swim today? →

4.7(1,732)

Sullivan's Island Beach

Beach · Charleston, South Carolina

Spacious, sandy beach with a quiet vibe, a wooden boardwalk & a square-shaped lighthouse.

Can I swim today? →

4.7(1,248)

Glendale Shoals Preserve & Waterfalls

Nature preserve · Glendale, South Carolina

13-acre natural area on the site of a former mill, with trails, a dam, waterfall & a 1928 bridge.

Can I swim today? →

4.8(1,033)

Colonial Lake Park

Park · Charleston, South Carolina

Historic tidal pond & dog-friendly park with paved pathways, benches, fishing & open green space.

Can I swim today? →

4.7(727)

Lake Hartwell

Reservoir · South Carolina

This artificial lake bordering 2 states offers recreation including boating, camping & fishing.

Can I swim today? →

Find swimmable water near you →All South Carolina water temperatures Explore South Carolina swimming spots National report

Get this report every Thursday

The warmest water in South Carolina and every state, active water hazards, and where to swim this weekend — once a week. No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

Conditions are for general information only and can change quickly. Always judge the water in person and follow posted advisories and local guidance before swimming or paddling.