South Carolina wakes up under thick clouds and humid air, with the ground already damp in spots. That uneasy calm will not last, as a surge of moisture begins building toward a soaking rain event.
According to the National Weather Service, Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, and Cayce will see rain chances increase through the day, with showers becoming likely after 4 p.m. The main impact arrives Saturday morning, when rain chances reach 100% between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. That peak window brings steady, sometimes heavy rainfall capable of quickly overwhelming drainage.
Roads along I-26, I-20, and I-77 could see water pooling within minutes, especially in low-lying intersections, underpasses, and flood-prone areas near the Congaree River. Visibility may drop sharply during heavier bursts, slowing traffic and increasing accident risk.
This is part of a broader system pushing east from the Lower Mississippi Valley, pulling deep Gulf moisture into the Southeast. The setup supports prolonged rainfall and isolated thunderstorms, with a low-end risk for gusty winds or small hail.
Rain continues into Saturday night before gradually tapering, though wet roads may linger into early Sunday. Sunshine returns Sunday afternoon with highs near 71°F, followed by a warming trend into the upper 70s Monday and low 80s Tuesday.
Plan for significant travel delays Saturday morning, avoid water-covered roads, and allow extra time on major highways as heavy rain creates hazardous driving conditions.
