Columbia, South Carolina – Spring break travelers heading through South Carolina could encounter frost and freezing conditions as overnight temperatures drop near 32°F between March 16 and March 20, bringing a rare late-season chill to parts of the Southeast just days before the official start of spring.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a large portion of the eastern United States—from Minnesota down to East Texas and east to the Atlantic coast—shows a 60–70% probability of below-normal temperatures during that period. The Southeast, including South Carolina, remains within the southern edge of this colder air mass.
Cities including Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg could see overnight temperatures falling close to 32°F, allowing patchy frost to form before sunrise, particularly in rural and low-lying areas where cold air settles.
Daytime highs are expected to recover into the 50s and lower 60s, but those readings will still run below typical mid-March averages across the state.
Drivers traveling along Interstate 26, Interstate 20, and Interstate 85 during spring break should watch for frost forming on bridges and overpasses during the early morning commute.
Along the coast, Charleston and Myrtle Beach may remain slightly milder due to the Atlantic influence, though clear skies and lighter winds could still allow patchy frost inland from the shoreline.
The colder pattern may persist through March 20, and additional advisories could follow if temperatures continue hovering near the freezing mark across South Carolina during the first official week of spring.
