Columbia, South Carolina — With Christmas just one week away, the National Weather Service released historical holiday weather statistics Friday, offering a look at temperature extremes, snowfall, and rainfall recorded in Columbia over the years.
According to the National Weather Service in Columbia, the city’s all-time warmest Christmas temperature was 79 degrees, recorded in 1955, while the coldest Christmas temperature dropped to 7 degrees in 1983. On average, Christmas Day temperatures typically reach a high of 57 degrees with overnight lows around 35 degrees.
Snow on Christmas Day has been rare in the Midlands. The maximum recorded snowfall in Columbia on Christmas is only a trace, occurring in 1924, 1998, and 2004. Forecasters noted that measurable snowfall on Christmas remains an unusual event for central South Carolina.
Rainfall extremes have been more notable. The wettest Christmas Day in Columbia brought 3.06 inches of rain in 2009, according to NWS climate records. Despite that history, forecasters say this year’s Christmas period is shaping up to be warm and dry.
The weather service also shared comparable statistics for nearby Augusta, Georgia, where the warmest Christmas reached 81 degrees in 2015 and the coldest dropped to 6 degrees in 1983. Augusta’s average Christmas temperatures are slightly warmer, with a typical high of 60 degrees and a low near 36 degrees.
Meteorologists said reviewing historical data helps place current forecasts into context and highlights how variable holiday weather can be across the Southeast. While extreme cold and snow are possible, mild and dry conditions are more common for the region.
Residents planning holiday travel or outdoor gatherings may find the historical trends reassuring, particularly for events scheduled outdoors. Students, seasonal workers, and travelers may benefit from the calmer weather pattern expected this year.
