Snow has stopped falling but winter weather remains a threat in the Midlands
Midlands residents were greeted by picturesque images of snow-blanketed terrain when waking up Wednesday morning. But the rare whiteout in Columbia, caused by a snowstorm that has since moved out of the area, was accompanied by ongoing winter weather threats.
Snow remains on the ground and roads across the Midlands, along with ice, making driving dangerous.
Nearly an inch of snow was recorded at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, while unofficial totals of 1-1.5 inches of snow were reported in Lexington County, National Weather Service Meteorologist Steve LaVoie told The State. The highest snow accumulation in the Midlands was in the Bowman area of Orangeburg County where about 4 inches was recorded, according to LaVoie.
At 4:35 a.m., the National Weather Service office in Columbia said that the last lingering snow showers have pushed east but snow covered and icy roads remain.
Despite the ongoing efforts of emergency crews to clear the roads, it will be several hours before the frozen precipitation goes away on its own — if at all Wednesday. Freezing temperatures are preventing the snow and ice from melting.
Temperatures will stay in the 20s all morning and aren’t forecast to rise above 32 degrees until the afternoon, the forecast shows. Even then, a brief thaw could create a new hazard on Midlands roads for drivers.
“Clear skies will slowly help clear things up in the afternoon,” the National Weather Service said.
Wednesday’s high temperature is forecast to be 35 degrees, so some snow and ice could melt. Should that happen the drop to an overnight low of 14 degrees — the coldest point of the week — could lead to a refreeze, with more ice and black ice potentially forming, according to the National Weather Service.
Roads, and especially bridges as well as overpasses, could already be slick and hazardous, the National Weather Service said.
“Icy and slippery road conditions exist around much of our state, especially the areas hardest hit from the Midlands to the coast,” the South Carolina Department of Transportation said. “If you can, avoid traveling. If you must drive, give plows and road crews room to work.”
The National Weather Service urged anyone getting behind the wheel Wednesday to drive slow and use caution. It also made it clear that ice is dangerous to more than drivers.
“If you are going outside, watch your first few steps taken on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways,” the National Weather Service said. “These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.”
LaVoie cautioned drivers to continue to be careful on Thursday.
“We don’t want to let our guard down,” LaVoie said. “There will be patches of black ice, especially on secondary and tertiary roads. There still will be slick spots.”
A winter storm warning in the Columbia area was canceled early Wednesday morning, but both a winter weather advisory and a cold weather advisory remain in effect for the Midlands, according to the National Weather Service. They were set to expire at 9 and 10 a.m., respectively, but LaVoie said the winter weather advisory was extended to noon out of precaution because of the hazardous conditions on the roads.
“Daytime temperatures will be abnormally cold for this time of year,” National Weather Service meteorologists said.
It will feel even colder, as wind chills could cause the sensation of a low of 10 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Very cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure, according to the National Weather Service.
“Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves,” the National Weather Service said. “Make frequent checks on older family, friends and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.”
A break from the cold?
A slight thaw is in Thursday’s forecast, at least during the day when a high temperature of 40 degrees is possible. Overnight temperatures could drop to 21 degrees, according to the forecast.
It will continue to get warmer every day into the weekend, when a high of 53 is possible on Sunday, the forecast shows.
No more snow, or any freezing precipitation, is expected through the start of next week, according to the National Weather Service. More precipitation is possible from Sunday night and into Monday, but temperatures are never expected to drop below freezing so only rain showers are currently forecast.
“It looks like the next storm we’re watching will be on Sunday night, but right now we think it should be warm enough that it will just be rain,” said LaVoie, who cautioned that the forecast could change and temperatures potentially could drop below freezing. “We will keep an eye on it, and we’ll have a clearer signal on Friday or Saturday.”
Temperatures could hit highs in the 60s for several days in the middle of next week, according to the forecast.
Snow around the Midlands
At 7:20 a.m., there was about an inch of snow in the Saluda Gardens neighborhood in West Columbia.
Roofs and cars all were covered, yards mostly covered, streets — including Lexington County’s Sunset Boulevard/U.S. 378 — partly covered, with light traffic making its way slowly along Sunset (near Nick’s House of Pizza and Brookland Baptist).
At 7:30 a.m., it was reported that there was still about an inch of snow on the ground in Forest Acres near Satchel Ford Elementary School.
Roads were icy in Richland County, especially where vehicles had passed since the snow fell.
Also at about 7:30 a.m., there were reports of about an inch of snow on the ground in the Woodhill area by Gills Creek Parkway and Rosewood. The ground was slick and icy.
At 7:45 a.m., snow was still powdery in West Columbia. Although less than an inch of accumulation was still on the ground, snow could be seen from Meeting Street to Jarvis Klapman Boulevard in Lexington County.
At 7:55 a.m., there was approximately and inch and a half of snow in western Lexington, about a mile south of Lexington High School. Roofs, cars, lawns, shrubbery and driveways were blanketed with a layer of snow in the Muirfield Place neighborhood.
Pisgah Church Road, normally busy on a weekday morning as kids head off to the nearby Pleasant Hill schools and adults report to neighboring manufacturing facilities, was quiet as scant cars crept down the icy highway. Schools across Lexington County were closed Wednesday morning as districts switched to e-learning.
At 7:55 a.m., less than an inch of snow was on the ground along Augusta Street in West Columbia.
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This story was originally published January 22, 2025 at 7:29 AM.
