South Carolina — Cold air presses low over the Upstate as damp pavement glistens under thickening clouds. What starts quietly turns dangerous fast. Meteorologists are now tracking a significant ice storm poised to impact daily life across the region.
An Ice Storm Warning is in effect for Spartanburg and surrounding Upstate counties from this afternoon through Monday afternoon. Rain changes to freezing rain as temperatures hover near 32 degrees. Ice accumulations between 0.25 and 0.75 inches are likely, with locally higher amounts in foothill communities.
Conditions may deteriorate rapidly after sunset. Roads glaze first, then trees and power lines follow. Travel could become nearly impossible, especially on untreated roads and bridges. Power outages are increasingly likely as ice loads increase on limbs and infrastructure.
Sunday brings the most dangerous period. Freezing rain continues through much of the day, with only limited improvement by evening. Winds remain light, but even calm conditions allow ice to build efficiently. Emergency managers urge residents to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
By early Monday, precipitation tapers, but impacts linger. Icy roads remain treacherous. Downed trees and power lines could block neighborhoods and secondary routes. Crews may struggle to restore power quickly due to widespread damage.
Colder air follows the storm. Overnight temperatures plunge into the single digits Monday night. Any melting during daylight will flash freeze after sunset, renewing hazards even where ice begins to clear.
Looking ahead, long-range outlooks show colder-than-normal temperatures persisting into late January. Precipitation chances drop, but recovery from this storm may take days.
Stay off roads if you can. Charge devices now. How are conditions looking in your part of Spartanburg County?
Five-Day Outlook: Spartanburg, South Carolina
- Sunday: Freezing rain. High near 32°F.
- Monday: Gradual clearing. High near 36°F.
- Tuesday: Sunny, cold. High near 34°F.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High near 38°F.
- Thursday: Sunny, cold morning. High near 34°F.
