Columbia, S.C. – Storms could slow weekend plans across South Carolina as a strong round of showers and thunderstorms targets Columbia by Saturday afternoon. Drivers on I-26 and I-20 should expect ponding on roads, reduced visibility, and possible delays.
According to the National Weather Service, rain chances rise sharply Friday evening and remain high through late Saturday, with some areas seeing up to a half-inch or more. Thunderstorms could bring gusty winds and frequent lightning. Emergency managers urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy downpours and to keep devices charged in case of outages.
The Columbia metro will face the brunt of these storms Saturday, while nearby towns like Lexington, Irmo, and Cayce should also prepare for localized flooding. Outdoor events may be disrupted, and football traffic could face backups around Williams-Brice Stadium if storms peak in the afternoon.
Conditions begin to ease Sunday with just a slight chance of showers, followed by a much quieter stretch early next week. Temperatures stay in the lower 80s through Monday, before sliding into the upper 70s by Wednesday as drier, fall-like air arrives.
Residents should plan around the wettest window Saturday afternoon and evening, keeping a close eye on alerts. Storm threats ease after the weekend, with October starting more seasonable.
Five-Day Forecast for Columbia, S.C.
- Friday: High near 84, storms likely after 2 p.m. Chance of rain 70%.
- Saturday: High near 82, storms likely by afternoon. Rain chance 70%.
- Sunday: High near 84, partly sunny, 30% chance of showers.
- Monday: High near 82, isolated storms after 2 p.m. Chance of rain 30%.
- Tuesday: Sunny, high near 82, cooler evening near 63.
