Cold, rainy weather or extra hot and dry in SC this spring? Here’s what Farmer’s Almanac predicts
So much for winter.
Spring is just around the corner for South Carolina, with the official start of the season set for March 20 in the northern hemisphere this year. Soon trees and flowers will begin to bloom, some animals will emerge from hibernation and for many residents, the inevitable spring cleaning will start.
But after months of a fairly standard winter, what kind of weather can the Palmetto State expect for spring this year?
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, plan for rain — lots of it.
The Farmer’s Almanac predicts near normal temperatures, but “tons of showers” in South Carolina this spring. There should also be frequent heavy-to-severe thunderstorms in South Carolina and the rest of the Southeast.
Overall, the Farmer’s Almanac expects a wet spring with relatively cool temperatures for most places in the U.S., the exception being the Southwest, where temperatures should rise quickly.
March, April and May predictions
The extended forecast from Farmer’s Almanac says to expect rain and showers on March 20, followed by more showers across the Carolinas the following week.
Expect scattered showers in early April. However, Farmer’s Almanac notes that the weather should be dry and pleasant for Easter on April 9 and for much of the Masters Tournament in nearby Augusta, which will run from April 6-9 this year.
South Carolina should see continued showers and thunderstorms through much of May.
How the Almanac makes its predictions
Founded in 1818, the Farmers’ Almanac uses a secret formula that includes components such as “sunspot activity, tidal action, the position of the planet,” to predict long-range weather forecasts. The forecasts are typically made two years in advance. Fans of the Farmers’ Almanac have, over the years, calculated that the predictions are accurate 80-85% of the time.
What does the National Weather Service say about spring?
The National Weather Service currently has a somewhat different spring outlook for South Carolina than what Farmer’s Almanac predicts.
According to the NWS Climate Prediction Center, South Carolina has a 40% to 50% chance of above average temperatures in March and April. The NWS also predicts equal chances of above or below average rainfall for the state in March and April.
