Charleston, SC – A sustained cold push arriving Thursday, April 30, will drive temperatures 30% to 50% below normal across the Carolinas and into northern Georgia, creating immediate impacts for commuters along I-95, I-26, and I-85 through early next week.
According to the National Weather Service, a cold air mass dropping out of the Great Lakes will press south and stall near northern Georgia by the weekend, keeping cooler conditions locked in place through Tuesday, May 6. Highs across Raleigh, Charlotte, Columbia, and Charleston will hold in the mid-50s to low 60s, while overnight lows dip into the 40s, especially inland.
Morning travel will be most affected from Wilmington to Savannah, where intermittent light rain and damp pavement could slow traffic on I-95, U.S. 17, and connecting routes. While rainfall totals remain near to slightly above normal, brief showers may reduce visibility during peak commute hours.
Inland areas, including Greensboro, Fayetteville, and Augusta, could see patchy early-morning fog where moisture lingers, adding another layer of travel concern. The cooler air will extend into northern Georgia, including Atlanta, where highs may stay in the low 60s, but the cold push weakens farther south and west, keeping central and southern Florida out of this pattern.
Utilities across the region may see increased demand as residents rely on heating during overnight hours, unusual for early May. Coastal sections from the Outer Banks to coastal South Carolina may also experience breezy conditions at times, affecting bridges and marine travel.
This colder-than-normal stretch is expected to hold through May 6, with gradual warming possible beyond that point. Additional updates could refine how far south the cooler air extends, but current trends keep the core of the chill focused from North Carolina through northern Georgia.
