Columbia, South Carolina — An unseasonably cold air mass will settle into South Carolina early Friday, May 8, bringing sharply cooler temperatures, gusty winds, and periods of rain that could disrupt travel and early-season outdoor activity across Columbia, Greenville, Charleston, Florence, and Spartanburg.
According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, temperatures will run 30–40% below normal through May 14, with the coldest air arriving Friday night into early Saturday. The most critical window is from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday, when inland areas could fall into the mid-30s, especially across the Upstate and rural Midlands.
That drop will create immediate impacts. Patchy frost is possible in sheltered and low-lying areas near Greenville and Spartanburg, where colder air settles before sunrise, posing a risk to gardens and sensitive crops. Elevated roadways along I-26 and I-85 may see slick spots early Saturday as moisture combines with colder surface temperatures.
Rain moving in Friday night will reduce visibility and lead to water pooling on roads. Low-lying streets in Columbia and flood-prone intersections in Charleston, along with drainage areas near the Congaree River, could see rapid runoff and standing water within minutes during heavier showers.
Winds will increase Saturday into Sunday, with gusts reaching 30 to 35 mph statewide. Those winds may bring down small branches and cause isolated power outages, especially in wooded areas and along the I-95 corridor near Florence.
Drivers should slow down on wet roads, particularly before sunrise, and avoid water-covered roadways. Residents in colder inland areas should cover sensitive plants and secure loose outdoor items ahead of the wind.
The highest risk for combined cold, wind, and travel disruptions peaks early Saturday between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m.
