This may sound familiar: Snow’s in Midlands’ forecast. Here’s when it could fall
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the forecast shows that snow is possible in the Columbia area of South Carolina.
This is the third week in a row that snow, or some other winter weather effect, is included in the forecast for the Midlands.
The current forecast, which is subject to change, shows that snow could begin falling in the Columbia area Friday night. Most of the snowfall is expected Saturday, and possibly could continue into Sunday, National Weather Service Meteorologist Drew Hickok told The State on Tuesday.
“Later Friday into Saturday the temperatures may be cool enough with moisture that could bring snow,” Hickok said.
If it snows this weekend, it would actually be the first significant snowfall of the year in Columbia. The forecast for winter weather Jan. 18, as well as another potential snowstorm Jan. 25, didn’t come to fruition. There was little precipitation in the former, while the latter saw precipitation that was mostly freezing rain and some sleet.
A repeat of last weekend’s wintry mix that left Midlands roads icy and slick is not expected this time, according to Hickok.
“The forecast could change, but it favors a rain/snow mix, or periods of just snow or just rain,” Hickok said. “But the forecast could change because temperatures can change.”
It’s too far out to make an accurate prediction about how much snow could be recorded, but Hickok said that some accumulation is definitely possible. The current forecast shows that it’s possible that accumulation exceeds the half-an-inch threshold, according to Hickok.
If that much snow is recorded, it could impact traffic conditions as road temperatures will be below freezing, Hickok said.
While some flurries were spotted in parts of the Midlands in each of the past two weekends, should any snow accumulate the ground, it would be the first measurable snowfall of 2026. There were two instances in 2025 when snow was recorded in Columbia — Jan. 10 and Jan. 21-22.
To snow, or not to snow
Just as there were reasons why preliminary forecasts didn’t pan out the past two weeks, Hickok said there are factors that could change the probability of snow this weekend. Chief among them is the temperature.
Another big factor, which could also dictate the temperature, is an area of low pressure, according to Hickok. Wherever that settles will be a big driver of what kind of precipitation is seen in the Midlands.
There’s currently a 50-60% chance of precipitation overnight Friday into Saturday in Columbia, Hickok said.
While Hickok said that this weekend’s precipitation isn’t expected to be a “messy of a mix as what we saw last weekend,” the aftermath of the winter storm should be the same — cold.
Temperatures are forecast to drop into the mid-teens overnight Saturday and Sunday. As is currently the case in the Midlands, where the windchill made it feel like 9 degrees on Monday night, temperatures that far below freezing are extremely dangerous.
Beware the cold
One danger is hypothermia, which can develop indoors when homes are inadequately heated, especially for older adults and babies, the South Carolina EMS Association 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.
Frostbite is also a threat from prolonged exposure to the cold, according to the National Weather Service. Anyone without adequate shelter or clothing is at highest risk of injuries that are potentially fatal.
Emergency shelters have opened across South Carolina.
“Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves,” the National Weather Service said.
People are the only things that require protective covering.
The freezing conditions also present a threat to unprotected outdoor plumbing, according to meteorologists. To prevent water pipes that are not properly insulated from freezing then bursting, wrap or drain them, or allow them to drip slowly, the National Weather Service said.
Any pets also should be brought indoors, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
Additionally, a hard freeze poses a threat to vegetation.
Overnight temperatures from Tuesday through the end of the week are expected to be below the freezing point in the 20s, the forecast shows. But as was the case this time in each of the past two weeks, the National Weather Service is telling Midlands residents to keep an eye out for developments.
“Stay tuned to the forecast,” Hickok said.
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