Weather
Central SC Weather Oct. 17–21: Summerlike Heat Gives Way to Fall
Columbia, SC A sharp autumn cooldown will bring a significant temperature change to Columbia, South Carolina, this weekend, with afternoon highs dropping more than 20 degrees between Friday and Saturd
By Cameron Hayes · 2026-10-14T08:58:15.056Z
Columbia, SC A sharp autumn cooldown will bring a significant temperature change to Columbia, South Carolina, this weekend, with afternoon highs dropping more than 20 degrees between Friday and Saturday before warmer weather gradually returns early next week.
According to the National Weather Service in Columbia, temperatures are expected to reach 88 degrees Friday before falling to just 67 degrees Saturday. The 21 degree decline will mark a noticeable departure from the summerlike warmth affecting portions of the Southeast this week.
Despite the substantial cooldown, sunshine will continue throughout the weekend, with no rainfall indicated in the city's forecast through Tuesday.
Weekend Brings Cooler Days and Chilly Nights Friday will feature another hot October afternoon, with temperatures approaching 90 degrees under sunny skies.
Light southwest winds will become westerly at 5 to 10 mph during the morning, with gusts potentially reaching 21 mph.
By Friday night, temperatures will fall toward 54 degrees under mostly clear skies, setting the stage for a considerably cooler Saturday.
Saturday's high is expected to reach only 67 degrees, bringing a distinctly different feel compared with the preceding stretch of upper 80s temperatures.
The coolest conditions will arrive Saturday night, when clear skies accompany temperatures falling to approximately 46 degrees.
Sunday will remain sunny and mild, with afternoon highs near 67 degrees before another cool night brings temperatures down to around 48 degrees.
The temperature change follows a broader national weather pattern highlighted by NOAA, which expects strong Canadian high pressure to bring considerably cooler conditions into much of the central United States late this week.
Although the national outlook identifies possible freezing temperatures farther north and west, Columbia's supplied forecast keeps overnight lows comfortably above freezing.
Temperatures Rebound Early Next Week The cooler conditions will begin easing Monday as temperatures climb toward 74 degrees under sunny skies.
Monday night will bring partly cloudy conditions and an overnight low around 54 degrees.
By Tuesday, Columbia is expected to reach approximately 77 degrees under mostly sunny skies, bringing warmer afternoons back to the area.
For residents planning outdoor activities, the weekend will offer a stretch of dry, sunny weather with significantly cooler temperatures than those experienced earlier in the week.
The National Weather Service forecast indicates no precipitation through Tuesday, making the temperature swing the primary weather development.
Five Day Weather Outlook: Oct. 17–21 Temperatures below represent the National Weather Service forecast for Columbia, South Carolina. Wednesday's outlook was not included in the supplied forecast.
Saturday, Oct. 17: Sunny and significantly cooler, with a high near 67°. Clear overnight, with a low around 46°. Sunday, Oct. 18: Sunny and mild, with a high near 67°. Clear overnight, with a low around 48°. Monday, Oct. 19: Sunny and warmer, with a high near 74°. Partly cloudy overnight, with a low around 54°. Tuesday, Oct. 20: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77°. Overnight temperatures were not provided.