Live Updates: Snow accumulating in SC, single digit wind chill possible as temps drop

7:15 p.m. - Lexington traffic undeterred by snow

At around 7 p.m., snow in Lexington had begun to pile onto cars and the ground, as the fluffy white substance continues to fall.

Restaurants, fast food eateries and gas stations were still open as motorists created a white misty dust as they drive over roads.

So far, no accidents have been reported in the area, and traffic remains relatively normal while drivers on Sunset Boulevard continue to navigate the roadways with ease.

6:58 p.m. - Richland County offices opening on delay

Richland County announced that “because of the potential for poor road and parking lot conditions,” county offices will reopen for business at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

“Drivers should plan on slippery road conditions that could impact morning commutes,” the county said in a release. “Black ice could pose a concern on local roads all day.”

“The County’s Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport terminal and fixed base operator services are closed and will reopen at 9 a.m. Wednesday, pending weather and airfield conditions,” the release adds.

6:47 p.m. - USC, Midlands Tech to open at noon Wednesday

The University of South Carolina and Midlands Technical College announced that they will open at noon Wednesday, on delay due to the inclement winter weather.

“In-person classes scheduled to begin prior to noon are canceled, but those beginning at noon or later will continue as scheduled unless otherwise notified,” the university posted in an update to its website, noting that all employees should report to campus at noon. “Hybrid and asynchronous classes that meet online will meet as scheduled.”

Midlands Tech will reopen all of its campuses at noon, noting in a release that all employees should report at that time. Classes will begin at 12:45 p.m.

6:21 p.m. - Snow becoming more widespread

The National Weather Service in Columbia reported at 6 p.m. Tuesday that snow was becoming more widespread in central parts of the state and in the Savannah River area of Georgia, with accumulations occurring.

“Travel conditions already becoming hazardous,” the service said in a release. “Impacts will linger well into late Wednesday morning or early afternoon while temperatures remain below freezing.”

The highest potential for snow accumulation Tuesday night heading into the wee hours Wednesday is along/south of Interstate 20.

The latest accumulation forecast calls for 1-2 inches in the western parts of Richland and Lexington County, 2-3 in the eastern parts of those counties and 3-4 further east toward Orangeburg and Manning.

A cold weather advisory is in effect through Wednesday morning, with wind chill values as low as 7-15 degrees possible, the NWS said.

The service noted that refreezing/black ice will be a concern Wednesday evening and heading into the rest of the week.

“Impacts from any snow on ground could linger longer than usual due to long-duration sub-freezing temps,” the NWS said. “Potential for refreeze to occur Wednesday night and possibly again Thursday night, forming black ice on roadways.”

4:41 p.m. - Roads close, reopen in Lexington County

A road closure was announced in Lexington County.

“Charter House Road and Canterfield Road is currently impassable due to black Ice,” the county posted to social media shortly before 4 p.m. “Public Works is in route. We will keep you updated as soon as it reopens.”

Those neighborhood roads are near Lake Murray, sitting just off Bush River Road in the Irmo area.

Less than an hour later, the county posted that the roads were back open.

3:22 p.m. - Snow is falling in Lexington and Columbia

Snow showers are being reported in the Lexington and Columbia area, with multiple reporters from The State seeing flakes coming down.

“We are starting to see the snow in parts of the [Central Savannah River Area] coat the ground on elevated surfaces and some grassy surfaces,” the National Weather Service in Columbia posted to social media shortly after 3 p.m., speaking to conditions west of the Columbia area. “With temperatures below freezing, untreated roads will require extra caution for motorists during the evening commute.”

3:02 p.m. - City of Columbia switches to ‘limited operations’

Starting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, the city of Columbia announced that its facilities would have limited operations through Wednesday due to the approaching winter weather.

“Citizens are encouraged to access City services on-line or by calling 803-545-3300,” the city said in a release. “The City of Columbia Payment Center, Municipal Court, Parking Services and Washington Square will be closed. City parks, recreational and community centers will also be closed.”

“City employees will work remotely to ensure continuity of service delivery for non-essential functions on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Public safety and other essential functions will operate as normal. For all emergencies, please call 911,” the release adds. “City leadership will continue to monitor the weather and will make any necessary announcements regarding any further closings. Please check your local news stations for office closing information.”

The city’s overflow shelter for the unsheltered population opened at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

2:09 p.m. - Midlands COMET system to suspend bus service

Columbia’s COMET public transportation system will suspend service from 4 p.m. Tuesday until about 10 a.m. Wednesday because of the winter weather warning issued for Richland and Lexington counties, according to a news release.

Service will be stopped Tuesday as the buses perform the last trips on their routes. The last outbound trips will depart the COMET Central hub downtown at 4 p.m.

The COMET serves areas of both counties.

1:44 p.m. - Lexington, Richland schools to close Wednesday

All school districts in the counties of Lexington, Richland, Orangeburg, Sumter and Clarendon have shifted to e-learning for Wednesday.

As of the early afternoon Tuesday, some schools in the Midlands were still planning to operate with a delayed start Wednesday in anticipation of snow predicted to fall and accumulate in the area.

1:06 p.m. - USC, Midlands Tech canceling classes

After initially announcing that classes would go ahead as scheduled Tuesday, the University of South Carolina and Midlands Technical College have now canceled all Tuesday classes after 2:30 p.m. All Midlands Tech campuses are closed, while offices on USC’s campus will remain open.

USC and Midlands Tech initially announced Monday they would close Tuesday afternoon because of inclement weather.

Gov. Henry McMaster then weighed-in on X, before Midlands Tech’s initial announcement.



“State government offices in Richland and Lexington counties will be open for business and operate as normal tomorrow until instructed otherwise,” McMaster posted. “State employees in Richland and Lexington counties are to report to work tomorrow as normally scheduled.”

Each school then announced they would stay open.

12:35 p.m. - Lexington, Richland could see 2+ inches of snow

Shortly after noon, the National Weather Service updated its winter storm warning to include Lee, Sumter, Richland, and Lexington Counties.

“We expect a heavier band to set up somewhere in the area to drop 2 inches+ of snow,” NWS Columbia posted to social media. “It’s hard to say exactly where that will fall. Not everyone will get 2 inches in these counties. However, because of the very cold conditions, even small amounts of snow will quickly stick to untreated surfaces and cause difficulties.”

11:46 a.m. - Winter weather warnings issued, schools change schedules

The Midlands are bracing for bitter cold and maybe even snow Tuesday evening.

Snow is expected in the Columbia area Tuesday, where a winter weather advisory has been issued, according to the National Weather Service. In the southern portion of the Midlands, a winter storm warning is scheduled to go into effect Tuesday afternoon, as more snowfall is in the forecast for that area, and a cold weather advisory is in place for all of the Midlands, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures could drop to a low of 20 degrees Tuesday night in the Columbia area, the forecast shows.

Snow is likely to begin falling near Columbia between 3-7 p.m., National Weather Service meteorologists said in a Tuesday morning briefing. The snow is expected to be heaviest at night, from 8 p.m. through 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to the briefing. Up to an inch of snow is forecast to accumulate in the Columbia area, while 2-3 inches is possible in the southern reaches of the Midlands, according to the briefing. Localized amounts in other areas could be higher.

School districts across the Midlands are announcing changes to schedules in advance of the potential winter weather. Most Midlands districts have announced plans to dismiss students early Tuesday, while several have said they’ll switch to an e-learning day on Wednesday.

This story was originally published January 21, 2025 at 12:07 PM.

Noah Feit

The State

803-771-8435

Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription

Jordan Lawrence

The State

Jordan Lawrence serves as metro editor for The State. He has worked for newspapers in the Columbia area for more than a decade, having previously served as the lead editor for Free Times and the Lexington County Chronicle. He has won several South Carolina Press Association Awards, including recognition for breaking news reporting, business reporting and arts and entertainment writing. Support my work with a digital subscription