Greenville, South Carolina – A warming trend across the western Carolinas will continue over the next few days, but temperatures remain cold enough to create renewed travel hazards overnight as melted snow and ice refreeze.
According to the National Weather Service Greenville–Spartanburg, daytime temperatures Monday are warming into the upper 30s to mid-40s, allowing lingering snow and ice from previous cold weather to melt across much of the region. Despite the daytime improvement, temperatures will fall well below freezing again tonight into early Tuesday, increasing the risk of black ice.
Forecasters warn that refreezing will likely occur on roadways, bridges, overpasses, and untreated surfaces, creating hazardous driving conditions. This includes major travel corridors such as Interstate 85 between Greenville and Spartanburg, Interstate 26, I-40 in the North Carolina mountains, and surrounding state and local roads.
Overnight low temperatures are expected to drop into the upper teens to mid-20s, especially in higher elevations and rural areas. These colder temperatures will allow moisture left behind from daytime melting to freeze rapidly after sunset.
The National Weather Service notes that while temperatures will continue a gradual warming trend through midweek, values will still remain below normal for early February. As a result, freeze-thaw cycles may continue to create intermittent slick conditions, particularly during overnight and early morning hours.
Drivers traveling late tonight or early Tuesday morning are advised to slow down, increase following distance, and remain alert for black ice, which is often difficult to see. Caution is especially urged in shaded areas and on elevated road surfaces.
Early-morning commuters, school transportation, and overnight shift workers may experience the greatest impact due to timing. Conditions are expected to improve after sunrise as temperatures rise.
Residents are encouraged to monitor local forecasts and road condition reports as temperatures fluctuate through the week.
