The same low-pressure system that brought heavy snow across the Ozarks will cross South Carolina and bring light snow along the western mountains. It will also bring mainly rain across the southern Midlands through the Low Country. On Wednesday, the upper Midlands and the Pee Dee will likely see some ice build-up as the system crosses the Palmetto State.
The low-pressure system is being pushed by a strong high-pressure system, which is bringing extremely cold temperatures across the Central Plains. As the frigid air builds behind it, moisture will still be in place across the Southeast. The positioning of the storm's center, which will travel over Georgia, will allow for a wintry mix across central North Carolina. Still, since temperatures will be between the low to mid-30s, there could be mixed wintry precipitation across the northern fringe of South Carolina. The most dangerous conditions will be the ice building over the I-77 north of Columbia through I-95 over to Florence and Dillon. Cities as far east as Conway could also experience slippery roads as the ice builds between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Make sure to slow down and use caution while traveling. Power outages are possible as there could be freezing rain and ice accretions of less than a quarter of an inch. The winter storm advisory will remain in place thorugh Noon on Thursday for the areas mentioned. Northeast South Carolina, including inland and coastal Georgetown and Horry, could also experience freezing rain on Wednesday night, followed by wind chills of 10-15 F on Thursday night.
As the low-pressure system moves along the coast and toward the Mid-Atlantic, there could still be some moisture left, and a few flurries could fall overnight on Thursday across Upstate and the upper Midlands, but this will be as the system moves away and the deep moisture goes with it.
Extremely cold temperatures follow
Temperatures on Thursday morning will be cold. Lows will be below 30 degrees in Upstate, and the Midlands will be in the low-30s. Coastal South Carolina will be between the low and mid-30s. But on Friday morning, much colder air will filter through and sink in, allowing temperatures to drop into the upper teens across Upstate, the low-20s along the Midlands, and around the mid-20s for the Lowcountry and Pee Dee. The cold air will stay put, especially during the overnight hours during the weekend as the skies will remain mostly clear.
