Columbia, South Carolina – A rare and potentially crippling winter storm is set to blanket central South Carolina with heavy snow beginning late Friday, creating dangerous travel conditions that could linger into Sunday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Columbia, a Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for much of the Midlands from late Friday night through Sunday morning. Snowfall totals between 5 and 8 inches are expected across Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Kershaw, Sumter, Lee, Clarendon, and Calhoun counties, including the Columbia metro area. Wind gusts up to 35 mph may worsen conditions by blowing snow across already slick roads.
Snow is expected to overspread the region late Friday evening, quickly sticking to pavement as temperatures drop. Bridges and overpasses are likely to become hazardous first, with road conditions deteriorating overnight and remaining dangerous through Saturday. Travel could become very difficult across major routes including I-20, I-26, and I-77.
Farther west and south, parts of east central Georgia and southern Midlands counties, including Aiken, Barnwell, Orangeburg, Richmond, and Columbia counties in Georgia, could see 3 to 6 inches of snow. Even lighter amounts in these areas may lead to widespread travel disruptions.
Residents are urged to complete travel before conditions worsen, avoid unnecessary driving, and prepare emergency supplies. Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect through Sunday morning, and lingering impacts are expected even after snowfall tapers off.
