Winter storm could dump snow, sleet and freezing rain on Columbia for days

A winter storm is forecast to hit the Midlands over the weekend, and the outlook of what to expect and when it will affect the Columbia area of South Carolina is getting clearer.

Rain, snow, sleet and freezing rain are all possible parts of a wintry mix that could begin falling in the Midlands on Saturday, National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Rohrbach told The State on Wednesday. Each of those forms of precipitation could be recorded this weekend in the Columbia area.

The varied forms of could continue into Sunday and even overnight to Monday morning before moving out of the Columbia area, Rohrbach said. The current forecast shows a 70% chance of precipitation (an expected wintry mix) on Saturday will rise to 100% at night. Little relief is expected Sunday, when there’s a 90% chance of precipitation (likely freezing rain), according to the forecast.

Rohrbach warned that the forecast is subject to change, and there’s a good amount of uncertainty about the exact timing and a precise forecast on the winter weather effects.

The winter weather is part of a larger storm, that will impact all of South Carolina, according to the National Weather Service. While mostly rain is expected toward the south, and the border with Georgia, it will more likely be the wintry mix as it moves north up the I-20 corridor and into the Midlands.

Heavier snow is predicted even further north, closer to the state line with North Carolina and into the Tar Heel State, Rohrbach said.

A dayslong weather event would make the chance of accumulation on the ground possible, according to Rohrbach. The amounts of accumulation, and if snow or ice is more likely to build up on the ground, is uncertain.

“It’s difficult this far out to look at specific amounts,” Rohrbach said.

The potential remains for impactful sleet-freezing rain with the highest amount in the area along and north of I-20, according to the National Weather Service.

While some flurries were spotted in parts of the Midlands last weekend, should there be any snow that accumulates on the ground it would be the first measurable snowfall of 2026, Rohrbach said. There were two instances last year when snow was recorded in Columbia — Jan. 10 and Jan. 21-22.

Any accumulation of precipitation could pose serious threats across the Midlands.

Snow, or especially ice, on the ground could create hazardous driving conditions and slippery roads. And then there’s black ice.

With temperatures dropping below freezing, ice can form on roads. Black ice forms when snow or light rain falls on frozen concrete, freezing quickly to form a layer of ice that is almost invisible against the backdrop of blacktop roads.

Drivers should use extreme caution when on Midlands roads, especially bridges and overpasses.

Any buildup could also lead to downed trees or branches which could down power lines and cause outages. Any prolonged loss of power, and heat, could cause serious issues as cold weather will persist after the storm moves beyond the Columbia area.

“Avoid travel during periods of snow and ice if possible,” the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office said Wednesday in advance of the forecasted weekend storm. “If travel is unavoidable, keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, including water, food, blankets, a flashlight and a fully charged phone.”

Cold, getting colder

A high of 37 degrees is possible Saturday before dropping to a low of 21 overnight, the forecast shows.

Any sunshine will have minimal impacts on Sunday’s temperature, which will range from a high of 31 to a low of 21, according to the forecast.

Temperatures will get even colder Monday night, when lows could drop into the teens, the forecast shows. There will be little relief for the rest of the work week, as overnight temperatures will continue to fall below freezing, according to the forecast.

That extreme cold could lead some people to try dangerous things to stay warm inside. To anyone thinking of using an outdoor grill or over to heat their homes, Rohrbach said don’t do it.

“We want people to only use approved heating sources indoors,” Rohrbach said.

In the case of a power outage, the Columbia Fire Department said to use extra blankets or a sleeping bag. For those with power who are going to use a space heater, the fire department warned to keep the devices 3 feet away from flammable materials.

Checking on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors — as well as their batteries — is also recommended by the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. And never leave lit candles or fires unattended.

The winter storm and freezing cold pose a great threat to the human body, the South Carolina EMS Association said.

One danger is hypothermia, which can develop indoors when homes are inadequately heated, especially for older adults and babies, the organization said. Early signs may include uncontrollable shivering, confusion, extreme fatigue, or slurred speech. Without prompt care, hypothermia can progress rapidly and affect the heart, lungs, and brain.

Cold temperatures also place added strain on the heart, which can increase the risk of a cardiac emergency, including heart attack, according to the South Carolina EMS Association. Breathing cold, dry air can also worsen lung conditions such as asthma and COPD.

Despite the many varied threats, currently neither any warnings, watches and advisories nor a state of emergency have been declared, but that could change as the storm gets closer.

“Winter weather can turn dangerous very quickly,” Attorney General Wilson said in a news release. “I encourage every South Carolinian to prepare now, stay informed, and avoid unnecessary risks.”

Noah Feit

The State

803-771-8435

Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription