South Carolina – Cold air sharp enough to sting exposed skin will surge south Sunday evening, setting up one of the coldest December nights in years across the Carolinas and eastern Georgia.
An Extreme Cold Watch remains in effect from Sunday evening through Monday morning for a wide swath of central and southern South Carolina, southeast North Carolina, and east-central Georgia. Wind chills could fall into the single digits, with readings as low as 8 to 10 degrees possible in places from Columbia and Lexington to Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Wilmington, and Augusta.
According to the National Weather Service offices in Columbia, Charleston, and Wilmington, the cold will arrive quickly after sunset Sunday. Gusty winds will magnify the chill, creating dangerous conditions for anyone outdoors without proper protection. Even coastal communities not accustomed to hard freezes could see brief periods of near-freezing air combined with biting wind.
The cold carries real-world impacts. Unprotected water pipes may rupture, especially in older homes and mobile housing. Frostbite or hypothermia can develop in minutes if skin is exposed. Emergency managers urge residents to drip faucets, wrap pipes, and check heating systems before nightfall Sunday.
Travelers heading along I-26, I-20, I-95, and I-77 late Sunday night should plan for cold-start vehicle issues and reduced roadside assistance availability. Pets should be brought indoors, and livestock need wind protection and unfrozen water. Portable heaters must be used carefully, and grills or generators should never operate indoors.
Temperatures begin a slow recovery after sunrise Monday, but the morning commute will still feel bitter. A gradual warm-up is expected later in the week, though another freeze remains possible midweek.
This marks a clear winter pattern shift for December, especially for areas that rarely experience extreme cold. How low did temperatures dip in your neighborhood?
