Columbia, S.C. – A shift toward cooler September weather will arrive in South Carolina next week, but not before a storm chance lingers through the holiday. The Labor Day weekend will start mostly dry and warm, but by midweek, thunderstorm activity could cause travel slowdowns across Columbia and the Midlands. Drivers along I-26 and I-20 should stay alert for sudden downpours Tuesday night into Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service, Columbia will see sunny skies and highs near 83 degrees on Labor Day, a welcome break for outdoor events. By Tuesday, highs will climb to the mid-80s before storms return Wednesday afternoon. Rainfall may be brief but locally heavy, with lightning as the main hazard. Residents should secure outdoor plans midweek and avoid flooded intersections during heavier bursts.
The bigger story is the cool push sweeping into the eastern U.S. next weekend. While South Carolina will not see the 40-degree lows forecast across the Midwest, the state will notice lower humidity and milder mornings by late week. That shift could mark the first taste of fall air for the Midlands.
Families hosting cookouts or traveling for Labor Day should enjoy mostly dry skies through Monday night. By Wednesday, keeping umbrellas handy is smart, especially for commuters. More widespread updates are expected if storms strengthen.
Five Day Forecast for Columbia, SC:
- Sunday: Partly sunny, high near 84.
- Labor Day Monday: Sunny, high near 83.
- Tuesday: Sunny, high near 84.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, afternoon storms, high near 84.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 87.
