Columbia, South Carolina – A rare late-season winter setup could develop across parts of South Carolina during St. Patrick’s Day week as colder air from Canada pushes unusually far south just days before the first day of spring.
According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 day outlook, the period from March 15 through March 21 favors above-normal precipitation across much of the eastern United States, while temperatures trend below seasonal averages across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. The pattern forms as a long cold boundary stretches from Maine through the Great Lakes and south into Georgia and northern Florida, allowing colder air to spill deep into the region.
That setup raises the possibility that Greenville, Spartanburg, Asheville-border communities, and parts of the Upstate could see snow or freezing rain if moisture arrives while colder air is in place. Farther south, including Columbia and Rock Hill, precipitation may begin as rain but could mix with or briefly change to frozen precipitation if temperatures dip.
Drivers along Interstate 85, Interstate 26, and Interstate 77 should monitor updates closely if storm systems begin developing. Even small amounts of ice can quickly create slick bridges and hazardous travel conditions.
The timing is notable as daylight saving time begins this weekend, yet winterlike conditions may linger across parts of the Southeast even as the first day of spring arrives later that week.
Forecasters expect the pattern to become clearer over the coming days, and additional alerts could be issued if colder air and incoming storm systems align across the Carolinas.
