South Carolina – First light spreads across the Midlands with a soft, crisp glow. The air feels cool but gentle, and the quiet breeze over the Congaree hints at another calm start before temperatures surge again. Fallen leaves rustle along Columbia’s neighborhoods, a reminder that late November can still swing warm even as the holiday rush builds.
Travelers heading toward I-26, I-20, and Highway 1 will enjoy smooth conditions early today. Temperatures rise quickly, climbing into the lower 70s, and sunshine dominates. Winds stay light, offering a great window for last-minute yard cleanup or early Thanksgiving prep.
To be fair, models show Columbia holding onto this warm stretch through Thursday. Humidity stays low, and skies remain mostly sunny. This pattern delays any real “Winter Tease,” but a shift approaches as the weekend nears.
Clouds increase Thursday night as moisture rebuilds from the Gulf. While Thursday stays mostly sunny with highs near 80°F, the atmosphere begins to reorganize. South winds edge upward and pull in enough moisture to spark a rain chance by Friday night. New precipitation amounts look light, but timing matters: early Thanksgiving travel along I-26 toward Charleston and I-77 toward Charlotte could slow during wet evening periods.
Friday itself turns partly sunny and warm, reaching the low 80s, which is well above seasonal norms for mid-November. Still, the growing cloud deck and incoming moisture signal the transition toward a more unsettled holiday pattern.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Columbia sees a chance of rain Saturday, followed by a partly sunny stretch Sunday. Temperatures cool slightly but remain comfortable, keeping any frost or freeze risk off the table for now.
Thanksgiving week appears more active nationally, so travelers should stay alert for changes, especially for long-distance routes heading north or west.
