Columbia, SC — The National Weather Service (NWS) Columbia reports a chilly start to Wednesday, with early morning temperatures in the upper 20s to lower 30s. Sunshine will return through the afternoon, helping temperatures climb into the mid to upper 50s across central South Carolina.
Despite the warming trend, breezy conditions are expected to develop by midday as a Lake Wind Advisory goes into effect at 1 p.m.. Winds will increase from the west-northwest at 15–20 mph, with gusts reaching 25–30 mph, and possibly higher over open lake waters, including Lake Murray, Wateree, and Marion.
“While today will be bright and pleasant, the combination of cool air and gusty winds could make it feel brisk, especially on or near area lakes,” the NWS said. “Boaters and those operating small craft should use extra caution this afternoon.”
The advisory will remain in effect through early evening as winds gradually diminish after sunset. Overnight lows will once again dip into the low to mid-30s, setting up another cold morning Thursday before milder weather returns to end the week.
Drivers should be alert for crosswinds on elevated roadways, especially near bridges and open stretches of I-20, I-26, and I-77.
Looking ahead, Thursday and Friday are expected to remain mostly sunny and seasonable, with highs returning to the 60s by the weekend.
For the latest weather alerts and lake wind advisories, visit weather.gov/cae or follow @NWSColumbia for real-time updates.
