News Summary
South Carolina faced an unexpected winter weather event as snow flurries affected the Upstate region and parts of western North Carolina. A Winter Storm Warning was issued, resulting in hazardous travel conditions and prompting officials to recommend avoiding unnecessary trips. Residents in various counties reported challenging conditions, with snow accumulation forecasts varying. State officials declared a state of emergency, urging citizens to prepare for freezing temperatures and potential power outages. As the system moves through the Carolinas, continued updates from meteorologists are expected.
South Carolina experienced an unexpected winter weather event on Wednesday morning, as snow flurries blanketed the Upstate area and parts of western North Carolina. The National Weather Service had issued a Winter Storm Warning for the region until 9 a.m. Wednesday, advising residents of hazardous travel conditions due to low temperatures and snow accumulation.
The snow began to make its presence felt in downtown Greenville just before 11 a.m., while Landrum, South Carolina, saw its first flurries around 10:15 a.m. As temperatures plunged into the low 20s, the snow began to stick to the roadways, creating dangerously slippery conditions for drivers. Many residents reported challenging travel conditions, prompting officials to recommend avoiding unnecessary trips.
In addition to the Winter Storm Warning, neighboring areas were placed under a Winter Weather Advisory. A cold weather advisory was also active, underscoring the risk of dangerously low temperatures. These conditions led to forecasts predicting a drop to around 23 degrees with wind chill values potentially feeling between 10 to 15 degrees.
As snow accumulation forecasts evolved throughout the day, predictions indicated that Clarendon, Orangeburg, Sumter, and Calhoun Counties could see totals reaching 3-4 inches. Areas in Columbia were expected to receive between 1-3 inches, while northern regions might experience only a trace to 1 inch. Though snow was expected to diminish by early Wednesday morning, forecasters cautioned that slick spots could linger, particularly impacting the morning commute for many residents.
The weather system was expected to bring further flurries before midnight, with an 80% chance of additional snow occurring. The high temperatures for Wednesday were forecasted to reach the mid-30s; however, a frigid morning awaited residents, with temperatures expected to barely surpass freezing in the afternoon.
Looking ahead, Thursday’s forecast predicted a bitterly cold start with morning temperatures in the teens, while highs would struggle to reach around 40 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. Sunshine is expected to return by Friday, with temperatures rising to the mid-40s, and a continued warming trend over the weekend, culminating in highs around 50 degrees on Saturday and mid-50s on Sunday with increasing cloud cover.
Local officials declared a state of emergency for South Carolina on January 10, anticipating that the winter storm would bring significant snow and ice, severely impacting travel across the state, especially in the Upstate region. There is also concern regarding potential ice accumulation of up to a quarter-inch, which could lead to power outages across affected areas.
In light of these winter conditions, state authorities urged citizens to remain prepared for freezing temperatures throughout the weekend. Governor Henry McMaster noted that state teams were fully prepared to respond to the challenges posed by the winter storm. Residents are advised to stay informed about weather developments and adjust any plans accordingly to deal with possible hazardous travel conditions.
As the weather system moves eastward through the Carolinas, the situation remains dynamic, with ongoing updates expected from meteorologists and officials.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WIS TV
- Google Search: South Carolina winter weather
- Fox Carolina
- Wikipedia: Weather
- Spectrum Local News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Winter Storm
- The State
- Google News: Winter Weather South Carolina
- WACH
- Google Scholar: Winter Weather
- WBTV
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
