COLUMBIA, S.C. — A soft, humid breeze is all that remains of fall’s warmth this morning, but a dramatic temperature shift is just days away. South Carolina’s weekend weather will swing from mild and stormy to crisp and freezing, marking one of the season’s sharpest cold turns so far.
According to the National Weather Service in Columbia, scattered showers and a few isolated thunderstorms are possible through Sunday as a weak front drifts across the region. Rain won’t be widespread, but any storm that forms could briefly disrupt outdoor plans or slow drivers along I-20, I-26, and Highway 378. Temperatures will remain unseasonably warm, climbing into the upper 70s both today and Sunday before a powerful cold front sweeps through late Sunday night.
That’s when the real change begins. Monday morning will greet the Midlands with clear skies, a brisk northwest wind, and lows dropping into the upper 20s. This will likely bring the first freeze of the season, ending the growing season for many local gardens and farms. Residents should cover tender plants, bring pets indoors, and prepare irrigation systems for freezing conditions.
Veterans Day will stay sunny but cool, with highs around 51°F and a crisp, dry feel—ideal for parades or outdoor ceremonies. The rest of the week trends calm and bright, with slow warming by midweek as highs return to the upper 60s.
Still, early-season cold snaps like this often signal more to come. Long-range models hint at another surge of chilly air before Thanksgiving, setting up a potential pattern of back-to-back November cold outbreaks across the Southeast.
Five-Day Outlook for Columbia, SC:
Sat: 79/61 – Partly sunny; stray storms.
Sun: 78/42 – Few storms; turning breezy.
Mon: 52/29 – Sunny; freeze early.
Tue (Veterans Day): 51/36 – Sunny; crisp and dry.
Wed: 67/45 – Mild sunshine; calm winds.
