Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted 6 more weeks of winter for the US, but South Carolina may be skipping to the front of the line. In fact, long range forecasts indicate South Carolina has anywhere from a 40% to 50% chance of getting above normal temperatures through April. With the warm up also comes drier weather too. Most of the state has between a 33% and 50% chance to get drier weather during that time period.
It was just a few weeks ago that many parts of South Carolina saw freezing temperatures and some record-breaking snowfall in January.
Weather News! The snow has started in Charleston, SC 🌴❄️🍍 pic.twitter.com/19CNMccqds
— Stephen Morgan (@StephenMorganTV) January 21, 2025
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center's 90-day outlook, which was issued Jan. 16, shows weak La Nina conditions are present and expected to last from February through April. While South Carolina is most familiar with the impacts of La Niña during hurricane season, it also affects the Carolinas other times of the year as well.
During a La Niña year, winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the South and cooler than normal in the North. Below-normal precipitation is also expected through April according to The Climate Prediction Center. For the next few weeks, expect warmer temperatures across South Carolina. You may have noticed your allergies suddenly spiking after trees around the state rebound from January’s arctic blast. Warm temps, little wind and very little rain is helping to increase the pollen to typical Spring numbers.
The Old Farmer's Almanac long-range forecast also has some predictions for February: The Upstate will have a 33% to 40% chance of below normal rainfall through February. The Midlands and Lowcountry will have a 40% to 50% chance of having less rainfall than usual for the rest of this winter.
Overall, South Carolina’s February weather looks like it will be much warmer and drier than January, with plenty of sunshine on the horizon for most residents to enjoy.