Columbia, South Carolina – Snow fell often enough this winter to push Columbia well beyond its typical seasonal totals, turning 2025-2026 into one of the Midlands’ more memorable cold seasons in recent decades.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service Eastern Region Headquarters, Columbia recorded 4.8 inches of snow from December 2025 through February 2026. That ranks among the top 20 snowiest meteorological winters since records began in 1887. The seasonal total more than doubled the normal winter snowfall of 2.2 inches.
Temperatures averaged 46.9 degrees over the three-month stretch, slightly below the normal 48.3 degrees. Those cooler readings allowed several light-to-moderate snow events to accumulate, especially across Richland and Lexington counties where secondary roads briefly turned slick during morning commutes.
While Columbia did not experience a single blockbuster storm, multiple systems tracked across the Deep South and along the Southeast coast, spreading measurable snow farther south than typical. Interstate 20 and Interstate 26 saw slowdowns during peak snowfall, and several Midlands school districts shifted to remote learning on the snowiest days.
The late-February “Bombo Genesis” system strengthened offshore and helped pull colder air into the Carolinas, squeezing out an additional round of light snow that boosted seasonal totals.
With 4.8 inches officially recorded, winter 2025-2026 stands as a notably wintry season by South Carolina standards. Finalized climate summaries are expected as the National Weather Service completes its seasonal review.
