South Carolina wakes to calm air, mild temperatures, and a quiet holiday pattern.
The crisp chill many expect never arrives, replaced by springlike warmth.
Across the Midlands, skies stay mostly clear through Christmas Day.
Afternoon highs surge into the mid to upper 70s, well above seasonal norms.
Morning commuters notice light winds and dry pavement.
Christmas Day brings sunshine and comfortable travel conditions.
No rain threatens roads, and visibility stays high throughout the region.
Holiday traffic moves smoothly on I-26 and I-77.
By Thursday and Friday, the pattern barely changes.
Clouds increase at times, but rain remains absent.
Temperatures stay unusually warm, peaking near 77 to 78 degrees.
Meteorologists note this warmth aligns with a broader Southeast trend.
Cold air stays locked far north, while mild Gulf air dominates the Carolinas.
Winter weather hazards remain nonexistent for central South Carolina.
Friday night stays calm and mild.
Lows dip only into the mid-50s, keeping frost and freeze concerns off the table.
Late-night drivers encounter dry roads and stable conditions.
Saturday stands out as the warmest travel day.
Sunshine returns, pushing highs close to 78 degrees again.
Outdoor plans and post-Christmas trips benefit from near-perfect weather.
While much of the country deals with snow, ice, or flooding, South Carolina avoids impacts.
To be fair, this warmth feels more like March than December.
Still, the lack of hazards makes travel planning easy.
Drivers should remain alert for heavier holiday traffic rather than weather issues.
No flash freezing or slick spots are expected this week.
5-Day Outlook for Columbia, South Carolina
- Today: Sunny, high near 76
- Christmas Day: Mostly sunny, high near 77
- Thursday: Partly cloudy, high near 77
- Friday: Partly sunny, high near 67
- Saturday: Sunny, warm, high near 78
