Porch Construction in Beaufort, SC

Hurricane season has come alive after a slow start this year.

The National Hurricane Center () is tracking three disturbances in the Atlantic Ocean that have the potential to form into tropical cyclones. August marks the beginning of hurricane season’s peak, when the most and the strongest tropical cyclones form. The peak runs from mid-August to mid-October.

Beaufort County is also experiencing more extreme heat. Heat advisories and extreme heat watches or warnings may be needed later this week as heat indices peak near 115.

Here’s what forecasts say about the three potential tropical cyclones and extreme heat:

Tropical disturbances

Two of the disturbances are located between the Caribbean and West Africa, while the third is west of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, as of Monday morning. Of the three, only one has greater than a 10% chance of development in the next seven days.

One of the two southern disturbances has a 60% chance of development in the next seven days. The disturbance may develop into a tropical depression later this week, according to the NHC. It would be named Cristobal if it forms.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s does not favor a landfall anywhere near Beaufort County. The tropical cyclone stays far out to sea, passing by Bermuda to its east. The model does not favor either of the two other disturbances to develop.

An is suppressing tropical cyclone formation this year, and so far it’s been fairly quiet. NOAA predicted hurricane season would be , and doubled down in an updated last week. Two tropical cyclones have formed this year, and both only reached tropical storm strength.

Development chances and track may change. The NHC updates its outlook several times a day, and you can view it .

Extreme heat

The National Weather Service’s Charleston Branch said heat advisories are likely later this week as heat indices peak at around 115, according to a forecast discussion. Heat will ramp up Tuesday, as much of Beaufort County comes under extreme and major heat risk, according to NWS’s .

Extreme and major heat risk are the highest risk levels. Heat indices above 103 can cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion and possibly heat stroke, according to the NWS. Heat stroke is life-threatening, requiring immediate medical attention.

Temperatures across Beaufort County are forecast in the upper 90 degrees Fahrenheit through Friday. The highest heat indices are expected Friday before cooling off next week. Here’s the heat index forecast for this week:

BEAUFORT, S.C. – Beaufort Memorial has been nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a 2026-2027 Best Regional Hospital, with eight of its programs highlighted for delivering exceptional care in the Lowcountry.

For the 2026-2027 year, Beaufort Memorial ranks at number 7 in the state among U.S. News’ latest “Best Regional Hospitals” edition, in a list of 505 best regional hospitals recognized nationwide.

“This recognition as a U.S. News ‘Best Regional Hospital’ is a tremendous honor,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley. “It reflects the unwavering commitment of our skilled, growing team to delivering high-quality care to our patients, their families and the Lowcountry community. Our patients can feel confident they are receiving not only compassionate, community-focused care at Beaufort Memorial, but care that delivers exceptional outcomes.”

In this annual study, U.S. News evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals across 14 adult specialties and 23 procedures and conditions. Only 16% of evaluated hospitals earned a “Best Hospitals” designation. Ten South Carolina hospitals and health systems landed on this list; Beaufort Memorial ranks beside large metropolitan systems such as MUSC Health, Prisma Health, McLeod and Roper in Charleston, Greenville and Columbia.

Beaufort Memorial was named a high-performing healthcare provider in the following areas of care:

Additionally, the organization’s orthopedic program was high-performing across the board in all four of its measured conditions and procedures of:

This achievement comes just weeks after Forbes named Beaufort Memorial one of only three South Carolina health systems to receive a 5-star overall rating in its inaugural “Top Hospitals by State” rankings.

“We are proud to be recognized alongside some of the state’s largest health systems as we remain committed to serving our Lowcountry community,” Baxley said. “As we continue to grow and invest in innovative care, our focus remains the same: ensuring this region’s residents have access to nationally recognized healthcare services close to home.”

The annual fall bazaar at St. Peter’s Catholic Church looks more like a giant festival each October on Lady’s Island. The 66th annual event, scheduled for Saturday, October 3rd looks to be no different than any other recent year.

That’s…big.

Each year, the church puts on a huge event complete with an outdoor International Food Court with a variety of goodies and homemade plates, a greenhouse plant sale, a variety of booths and tents, the area’s largest silent auction, and lots more.

The 2026 bazaar will have some similarities to previous years but will also feature newer activities, including a Wine Garden. Also featured is a Craft Beer Garden, which will have four to six different brews from a local brewery. Soft beverages and water will be available for purchase.

And, a dedicated area for children and parents will include inflatables, games, and friendly animals in their Petting Zoo.

Also newer to the bazaar is the Craft Fair that will showcase numerous local artisans. Providing an opportunity for early Christmas shopping, the Craft Fair will include jewelry, embroidered and crocheted handicrafts, children’s clothing, metal works, pet nutrition, oyster shell items, coastal and holiday décor, and hand-made cutting and charcuterie boards. Several coastal artists will also have original works available for purchase.

If there’s anything that you want to buy…you’ll definitely find it there.

Join in the fun for the whole family from 10am to 3pm and you’ll also be sure to find a treasure or two while you’re there. St. Peter’s Catholic Church’s annual Fall Bazaar benefits the general fund of the church and always has something for everyone.

The St. Peter’s annual Fall Bazaar is located at the church, at 70 Lady’s Island Drive, on Lady’s Island.

Labor Day weekend is here, and you may have plans for your Monday off.

But your local grocery store may also be taking a break Monday. If you’re unsure what will be open Monday, we’ve got you covered. Here are the Labor Day hours for Beaufort County’s groceries stores:

All Publix locations will be open for regular operating hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Publix’s in-store pharmacies will be closed Labor Day.

These Publix locations regularly close at 9 p.m.:

All Walmart locations will be open for regular operating hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Walmart’s in-store services such as the pharmacy and vision center operate on different hours. Check your local Walmart .

The ALDI locations in Beaufort and Bluffton will operate on reduced hours Labor Day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

All Food Lion locations will be open for regular operating hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kroger stores will be open for regular operating hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Kroger’s in-store pharmacies and clinics’ hours may vary. Check with your local Kroger .

All locations will be open for regular operating hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Harris Teeter in Main Street Village on Hilton Head Island closes regularly at 10 p.m. Harris Teeter pharmacies’ hours may vary. Check with your local store .

Hilton Head’s Fresh Market will be open for its regular operating hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Hilton Head’s Piggly Wiggly will be open for its regular hours on Labor Day from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Port Royal’s Piggly Wiggly will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What’s not open?

All federal and state government offices including the DMV and U.S. Post Offices will be closed Labor Day. Brick and mortar banks will also be closed, but ATM and online banking services will be available. Online DMV services will also be available.

The town of Hilton Head, City of Beaufort and Beaufort County government have announced their offices will be closed Labor Day and reopen Tuesday, Sep. 8. Beaufort County schools will also be closed Labor Day.

Labor Day weekend looks to start with hot, humid temperatures before rain settles in on Sunday.

A heat wave affecting much of the South and Midwest will move into Beaufort County this Labor Day weekend. Forecasts call for peak temperatures in the middle to upper 90s Fahrenheit and high heat index values approaching the 110s. The National Weather Services’s (NWS) places all of Beaufort County under moderate or major risk Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There are also high chances for rain and possibly some thunderstorms Sunday and Labor Day. Here’s the forecast for this Labor Day weekend:

Early weekend heat

The heat wave has been affecting the Upstate since early this week, but the first day of dangerous temperatures here is expected Friday. The heat index is to peak at 105 degrees Friday, with a high temperature around 90 degrees. The peak of the heat wave is expected Saturday, when the heat index is forecast to hit 109. Heat indices above 108 meet the for a heat advisory, according to NWS’s Charleston Branch. The heat index will be higher in inland areas than in sea-side areas, according to a from the branch.

A cold front Sunday should end the heat wave, although the heat index is forecast to reach 102 Sunday. Temperatures fall to the low 80s by Labor Day, and the heat index peaks at a more manageable 91. Beaufort County’s HeatRisk drops to moderate and minor on Labor Day and Tuesday next week.

Rain and thunderstorms

Although it won’t be as hot Sunday and Labor Day, rain is likely and thunderstorms possible both days. The wet and stormy conditions begin Sunday afternoon, with showers likely after 2 p.m. and thunderstorms possible. There’s a 70% chance of precipitation during the day and a 60% chance Sunday night. Labor Day may be a bit drier, with a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms.

September weather outlook

The NWS’s (CPC) September outlook gives Beaufort County a 40% to 50% chance of above-normal temperatures and equal chances of above or below-normal precipitation. The strengthening El Niño should bring increased precipitation this fall, and the CPC’s three-month outlook supports that with a 40% to 50% chance of above-normal precipitation.

The forecast can change. Keep track of it through the NWS .