Charleston, SC – South Carolina residents could be ringing in 2026 with temperatures more typical of early spring, as long-range forecasts point to a stretch of near-record warmth developing after Christmas and continuing into the New Year.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 8–14 day temperature outlook for Saturday, December 27 through Friday, January 2 strongly favors above-normal temperatures across South Carolina, including Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and much of the coastal plain and Midlands.
In the Charleston area, daytime highs during the post-Christmas to New Year’s stretch are expected to climb well above late-December averages, with some days potentially approaching or challenging daily temperature records. December normally brings cooler, drier air to the Lowcountry, making the projected warmth especially noticeable along the coast.
Meteorologists say the warm pattern is being driven by a broad ridge of high pressure anchored over the eastern United States, limiting cold air intrusions from the north and keeping winter storm systems displaced well away from the Southeast.
Looking ahead, the mild trend may extend beyond New Year’s Day. NOAA’s Week 3–4 outlook for January 3–16, 2026 continues to lean above average for temperatures across much of South Carolina, particularly in coastal and southern portions of the state. While forecast confidence decreases farther out, current signals support a warmer-than-normal start to January.
The extended warmth could influence energy demand, outdoor travel plans, and winter weather expectations, including a reduced chance for sustained cold snaps. Forecasters caution that winter patterns can still change quickly, but for now, South Carolina appears poised for an unusually warm opening to 2026.
