Columbia, South Carolina – South Carolina is now included in a moderate and increasing winter storm risk, as forecasters track a developing system that could bring snow and travel disruptions to parts of the state this weekend, according to the NOAA Weather Prediction Center.
The outlook highlights the period from 7 p.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Monday, when a strengthening storm system could impact central South Carolina, particularly along the Interstate 26 and Interstate 20 corridors, including Columbia and surrounding Midlands communities.
As of Monday evening, portions of South Carolina are included in a 30% probability area for at least moderate winter storm impacts, with forecasters noting that odds are trending upward as confidence in the large-scale pattern improves.
What forecasters know:
- Very cold Arctic air is expected to blanket the eastern half of the U.S. into next week, allowing snow to occur unusually far south, including inland South Carolina.
- A high-altitude disturbance is forecast to dive out of Canada late Thursday, then deepen across the eastern U.S. by Saturday.
- This setup favors the development of a surface low-pressure system, which could interact with the entrenched cold air.
- If the storm track aligns, snowfall could impact central and northern South Carolina, including the Columbia metro area.
What remains uncertain:
- The exact track of the surface low
- Whether the heaviest precipitation remains north of the state or shifts south
- The duration and intensity of snowfall within the Friday–Monday window
Because snow and ice are uncommon in South Carolina, even light accumulations could result in significant travel disruptions, including hazardous conditions on I-26, I-20, I-77, and U.S. 378, as well as impacts to schools, government offices, and weekend events.
Residents are urged to monitor forecast updates closely through midweek, especially as probabilities continue to rise and details become clearer.
