On Tuesday, the National Weather Service reported a high of 101 degrees in the Columbia area as a heatwave settles in, predicted to last the week.
Historically, the highest temperature Columbia has seen on June 16 was 100 degrees in 1943 and 1920 before that, both records of which were surpassed on Tuesday.
"This isn't my first summer in Columbia, but I always manage to forget how hot it can get here," fourth-year environmental studies student Jack Williams said. "Even when most people get back in August, it doesn't feel nearly as sticky and hot as it does here in June. It's not surprising that this is the hottest day of the year so far."
The high temperatures are expected to remain throughout the rest of the week as Wednesday and Thursday have also been predicted to reach 100 degrees as well.
Regarding humidity, however, officials have warned that the heat index could signal dangerously hot conditions outside and they are recommending people limit their time outdoors over the next couple of days.
During heatwaves like this, many often need to remember to drink plenty of water as well as minimizing the time they spend outside in direct sunlight.
"It's funny because I never thought about carrying water around with me back home, but on campus on days like this, its almost a requirement," Williams said. "Honestly, without it, going to classes would be brutal."
More towards the end of the week, the heat will ultimately die down, albeit by a couple degrees, and forecasters have predicted some rainfall moving into the weekend.
"I feel like most of the time it's either really hot down here or really wet," fourth-year hospitality management student Scott Bartlett said. "I wish that the weather could just like go on vacation for two weeks and leave us with a cool 80 and a nice breeze. After four years here though, I'm starting to think that just doesn't happen."
Unfortunately, there are also predictions for 100 degree weather again next week, which would mean that effectively, the heat has arrived and it's here to stay.