Snow, sleet & freezing rain all possible in Columbia. Here’s when it’s forecast
Last week the forecast said there was a chance of snow in the Columbia area of South Carolina. It turned out that fleeting flurries and few snowflakes were the most that materialized on a rain-drenched Sunday in Columbia.
Another winter storm is in the forecast for this upcoming weekend in the Midlands, and the potential for snow returns, according to the National Weather Service.
Snow, sleet and freezing rain are all possible in Columbia, meteorologists said in a Tuesday morning briefing.
There’s a 70% chance of at least minor impacts caused by the storms, according to the briefing. The chances are even greater in the Upstate region and in the area along the border between South Carolina and North Carolina.
While the forecast is subject to change, meteorologists said potential is increasing for impactful snow-sleet-freezing rain.
Those dangerous winter weather effects could being impacting the Columbia area as soon as Saturday morning, with the possibility of lasting through Sunday, according to the briefing.
The forecast shows that rain and snow are likely before 1 p.m. Saturday, with a switch to snow and sleet the rest of the day. The current forecast calls for a 70% chance of precipitation Saturday.
After the sun goes down, temperatures will also drop into the low 20s, and freezing rain could become a threat, according to the forecast.
More precipitation is expected Sunday, as freezing rain is most likely, based on the current forecast.
The window for last weekend’s possible snow was only a few hours. But the upcoming forecast shows that very cold temperatures could extend the impact of any wintry precipitation, the National Weather Service said.
Information about the amount of snow that could accumulate in the Midlands wasn’t available, but the wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain could play a role in washing away the white stuff.
Some snow is possible prior to the weekend, the forecast shows. Although temperatures could reach a high of 60 degrees Thursday, a slight chance of rain and snow exists before 10 a.m., according to the forecast.
Overnight temperatures throughout the week will be cold, and are predicted to drop below freezing Tuesday night. Throughout the week, overnight conditions are expected to continue being cold but clear before the weekend, when there’s a high confidence in winter storms, the National Weather Service said.
“The system is still several days away, so the forecast is expected to evolve,” meteorologists said in the briefing.
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