Columbia, South Carolina – A marginal winter weather pattern may develop across South Carolina late next week, with limited chances for rain and snow hovering near 40 percent between Jan 20 and Jan 26. While precipitation signals are present, the overall setup suggests impacts will remain minimal for most of the state.
According to the National Weather Service and the Climate Prediction Center, South Carolina sits on the southern edge of a broader winter pattern bringing above-normal precipitation farther north. For the Palmetto State, precipitation chances remain more limited, with temperatures generally favoring rain over snow.
Central and southern portions of the state, including Columbia, Charleston, and the Lowcountry, are expected to see mainly rain during any passing systems. Daytime temperatures should remain mild enough to prevent wintry impacts, with rain falling in light to moderate amounts if systems track close enough to the region.
Across the Upstate and northern Midlands, including Greenville, Spartanburg, and Rock Hill, brief rain-snow mixes cannot be completely ruled out during overnight or early morning hours if colder air briefly filters south. However, confidence in any accumulation remains low, and most locations should see rain or no precipitation at all.
Because precipitation chances are spread over several days, periods of light rain could still lead to slick roads during early morning commutes, especially on bridges and elevated surfaces. Widespread travel disruptions are not anticipated at this time.
Residents are encouraged to monitor updated outlooks but can expect winter weather impacts to remain limited. Confidence will improve as the timeframe approaches, and any advisories would be issued if colder trends strengthen closer to late January.
