Greenville, South Carolina – Accumulating snow is increasingly likely across much of the western Carolinas from Friday night through Saturday night, with cold temperatures expected to amplify impacts and create hazardous travel conditions.
According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, snow will develop Friday night and continue into Saturday, with unusually high snow-to-liquid ratios between 15:1 and 20:1. This means that even small amounts of liquid precipitation could produce several inches of snow, with only 0.15 to 0.20 inches of liquid needed to generate around 3 inches of accumulation.
Probability graphics show a high likelihood of at least 2 inches of snow across much of the region, including areas along Interstate 85, Interstate 26, and Interstate 77. Portions of the foothills and Piedmont have a 30 to 50 percent chance of exceeding 4 inches, while some locations, especially near and east of Charlotte, show a 20 to 40 percent chance of more than 6 inches.
The snow is expected to be dry and powdery, which may be favorable for recreation but poor for snowball making and dangerous for driving. Cold ground temperatures will allow snow to stick efficiently to road surfaces, increasing the risk of slick and icy conditions.
High temperatures Saturday during the heaviest snowfall are forecast to remain in the 20s or colder, limiting melting. Another surge of Arctic air Saturday night will drop overnight lows into the single digits and low teens, with gusty winds producing wind chills in the single digits south of I-85 and as low as 25 below zero in the mountains.
Officials urge residents to prepare now, monitor updated forecasts, and limit travel during the peak of the storm. Commuters, students, and weekend travelers should plan for delays and potentially dangerous conditions through Saturday night.
Forecast confidence is increasing, but exact snow totals and placement will continue to be refined.
