South Carolina — Early sunlight washes over Columbia with a faint golden glare, catching frost still clinging to windshields across quiet neighborhoods. The air feels crisp and still, the kind that slips through jacket seams and reminds residents that December’s cooler rhythm is settling in for good. Roads remain dry, but the cool pavement hints at how quickly conditions can change this weekend.
Temperatures rise comfortably through the day as high pressure holds firm. Skies stay bright and steady, offering ideal travel conditions along I-26, I-20, and I-77. To be fair, this calm setup won’t last long. Meteorologists are now watching a weak disturbance sliding toward the Midlands, one that could spark a late Saturday rain chance and a slight Sunday shower threat.
Saturday remains sunny with a high near 65°F, but clouds begin to drift in after sunset. Moisture is limited, yet models hint at a brief 30% chance of light rain. Any early drops should stay spotty, but even a thin glaze on cooler surfaces can create slick patches in shaded areas.
Sunday brings a 20% rain chance, mainly before early afternoon, with a high near 56°F. While this isn’t a widespread winter system, the warm-to-cool transition signals an early December cold snap with nighttime lows dipping into the lower 20s by Monday night. That’s prime territory for frost, especially in rural pockets west of the city.
Expect clearer skies Sunday night as cooler, drier air sweeps in, making holiday lights shimmer against a deep winter-blue sky.
Five-Day Outlook
• Saturday: Sunny, high 65°F; slight rain chance late.
• Sunday: Slight rain chance, high 56°F.
• Monday: Sunny, high 40°F.
• Tuesday: Sunny, high 43°F.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high 52°F.
