Columbia, South Carolina – Thunderstorms could disrupt travel and outdoor plans across South Carolina by Friday afternoon, with Columbia and surrounding areas squarely in the path. Warm spring days will give way to scattered storms late this week, raising concerns for drivers along I-20 and I-26.
According to the National Weather Service in Columbia, mostly sunny skies will dominate Wednesday and Thursday, with highs surging into the upper 80s. Calm winds will gradually shift southwest at 6 mph, bringing in moisture ahead of Friday’s unsettled weather. A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms will arrive after 2 p.m. Friday, possibly leading to slick roads and slowdowns during the evening commute.
Residents and travelers should monitor updates and prepare for sudden downpours, especially between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday. Officials recommend securing outdoor items, checking travel routes early, and charging mobile devices in case of brief outages. No widespread flooding is currently expected, but isolated pockets of heavy rain may occur along low-lying areas and highways.
Friday night will see lingering rain chances (30%) before clearing late. The weekend returns to spring sunshine with highs in the upper 80s and cool, clear nights dipping to the mid-50s—perfect for outdoor activities but still warranting sunscreen and hydration.
Five-Day Columbia SC Weather Outlook:
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high 88°F.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, high 88°F.
- Friday: Partly sunny, thunderstorms possible after 2 p.m., high 87°F.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, high 83°F.
- Sunday: Sunny, high near 84°F.
