Snow in April? It’s possible tonight across SC, National Weather Service forecast says
.JPG "Snow is possible overnight according to the National Weather Service forecast.")
Snow is possible overnight and into Tuesday morning in several areas of South Carolina, and that’s no April Fools’ joke.
The National Weather Service in Columbia issued an alert Monday that “snow may mix in with rain late tonight into Tuesday morning.”
The potential for snow exists in the forecast because of a developing coastal storm that is predicted to “draw unseasonably cold air southward into the Western Midlands,” according to the NWS.
The snow is expected to fall in the Midlands from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m., the NWS said in the alert. That could create traffic issues on the roads for drivers making the morning commutes on Tuesday.
”We’re getting a flurry of flurry reports this morning!” the National Weather Service Office in Upstate South Carolina tweeted Tuesday morning.
“The greatest chance of scattered snow showers accumulating on grassy surfaces will be from Chester, SC to Monroe, NC through late morning. Expect drying and warming conditions this afternoon,” the National Weather Service said.
Up to an inch of “wet snow” could settle in Newberry, Fairfield, Lancaster and Chesterfield counties, which the NWS said are most likely to be impacted by the white stuff, according to the alert.
It is not expected to be cold enough for snow in Columbia, but the forecast is still calling for near-freezing temperatures and precipitation.
There’s a 40 percent chance of rain overnight, with an expected low of 38 degrees, according to the NWS. The likelihood of rain rises along with the temperature Tuesday, with the NWS calling for a 100 percent chance of precipitation before 1 p.m., and temperatures that are still colder than usual for April in Columbia.
The NWS forecast said frost is possible overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning in Columbia, and rain will continue through the week.
The Midlands are not the only area where snow could fall Monday night.
The Upstate region, Greenville in particular, is expected to see snow, according to the NWS forecast. But “little or no snow accumulation (is) expected,” the NWS said.
The snow could also fall in North Carolina, as Charlotte has a 50 percent chance of snow Tuesday, the Observer reported.
It will be too warm for snow in the Lowcountry, but heavy rain, windy conditions and possible thunderstorms are predicted in the Charleston area, according to NWS.
The biggest threat in Charleston is possible flooding in the morning.
“This appears to be a powerful storm, and depending on rainfall levels, we could see significant local impacts during rush hour. Motorists are advised to use caution and consider alternate routes,” City of Charleston Director of Emergency Management Shannon Scaff said in a news release.
Wind and rain are also expected to be the biggest issues slightly up the coast in the Myrtle Beach area of the Grand Strand.
A wind advisory has been issued for coastal areas by the NWS, which said “gusts of 40 to 45 mph are possible, especially along the coast.”
The storm could also dump one to three inches of rain in the region, which could lead to “isolated flooding,” the NWS said in the advisory.
“A Wind Advisory is in effect for coastal areas, and a Gale Warning is now in effect for all of the coastal waters. A Storm Warning is in effect for the offshore waters,” according to the NWS, which said conditions in the area are expected to improve by Tuesday night.
This story was originally published April 1, 2019 at 4:28 PM with the headline "Snow in April? It’s possible tonight across SC, National Weather Service forecast says."
