SC facing hard freeze soon. Here’s how cold, how long it will last
Quiet and warm weather is expected Friday, morphing into a weak front bringing in showers and storms Saturday then a cold front on Sunday and — BAM — a hard freeze increasingly likely on Monday night and early Tuesday.
This is, after all, November.
The National Weather Service in Columbia says a dry cold front with sunny skies is expected to stall just south of the area Friday.
“Beautiful conditions,” NWS said, and encouraged people to get out and look at the fall colors.
All good things must end, as the saying goes, and a “stronger front approaches Saturday night, with another batch of storms potentially developing. If these develop, they could be strong,” NWS said.
It’s too early to say how intense the storms will be on Saturday night, but severe storms are possible.
Then comes this: “A robust cold front is forecast to push through the area on Sunday and Monday. Breezy conditions are expected behind the front on Monday.”
The NWS said an unseasonably cool air mass is forecast to filter into the eastern U.S. on Monday and Tuesday, with a hard freeze possible on Monday night.
Temperatures in Columbia are expected to be as low as 40 on Sunday, 29 on Monday and Tuesday and 38 on Wednesday.
Lows in Lexington are forecast to be similar: 39, 29, 29 and 38 degrees Sunday through Monday.
The lowest temperature in the area is likely to be Saluda where the low is forecast to be 26 on Monday and Tuesday.
“Prepare now,” the NWS said.
Preparing for freezing weather in SC
The Insurance Information Institute says to do these things:
- Clean the gutters.
- Trim trees and remove dead branches.
- Use caulking to seal cracks and wall openings to prevent cold air and moisture from entering your home.
- Add extra insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces.
- Check pipes closely for cracks and leaks.
- Keep your house heated to at least 65 degrees.
- In a hard freeze, open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly.
- Keep your fireplace flue closed when you’re not using it.
This story was originally published November 7, 2025 at 5:30 AM.