COLUMBIA, SC – A sharp chill grips the Midlands this Veterans Day morning. Car windows shimmer with frost, lawns sparkle under the first light, and a cold northwest breeze sweeps through the pines. Temperatures are stuck near 33°F, but the wind chill dips into the 20s, giving South Carolina a true taste of winter before sunrise.
The National Weather Service in Columbia has a Freeze Warning in effect until 9 a.m., paired with a Lake Wind Advisory through early morning. Gusts up to 35 mph may whip across Lake Murray, creating rough conditions for small boats. Subfreezing air could damage tender vegetation and exposed pipes, especially in low-lying and rural areas.
By midday, the chill begins to retreat as high pressure builds from the west. Sunshine floods the state, and temperatures rebound quickly — reaching the upper 40s to near 50°F this afternoon. That warming trend accelerates through midweek: Wednesday climbs to the mid-60s, and by Thursday and Friday, Columbia enjoys highs in the upper 60s to near 70°F under clear skies.
It’s a classic Southern weather swing — from frost to warmth in just two days. Late-week sunshine offers ideal conditions for yard cleanup, outdoor events, or early holiday decorating. Looking ahead, models keep the region dry through the weekend, with mild air lingering into early next week. After this brief November cold snap, South Carolina slips right back into a stretch of calm, comfortable fall weather.
Five-Day Outlook for Columbia, SC:
Wed: 65/41 – Sunny; mild and calm.
Thu: 68/40 – Mostly sunny; light breeze.
Fri: 70/45 – Clear; unseasonably warm.
Sat: 72/52 – Partly cloudy; breezy.
Sun: 71/50 – Mostly sunny; pleasant weekend.
