A stretch of warm weather will be in place across the Palmetto State for much of the workweek, with some communities nearing record highs.
Forecast models show an area of high pressure helping to enable a southerly and westerly flow, which will be responsible the warming trend.
Temperatures are expected to run 10 to 15 degrees above average during the mid- to late-week timeframe, which will feel more like spring.
For most areas, high temperatures are expected to reach the 70s beginning Wednesday and persist through at least Friday.
Overnight lows will also be rather mild, generally falling into the upper 40s to mid 50s, which could help enhance morning fog.
Despite the warm, sunny days, most observation sites are expected to fall just short of setting daily records.
The most likely locations for record-breaking warmth appear to be the Upstate, where historical record temperatures are generally lower than those across the Midlands and coastal regions.
In coastal and nearby communities, temperatures would need to reach the upper 70s to lower 80s to break records, which appears unlikely during this warm spell.
Changes are expected to arrive as the week comes to a close, as forecast models show a strong cold front approaching the region on Friday, bringing increased cloud cover and rain.
The best chance for widespread precipitation appears to be Friday into Saturday, with periods of rain possible during the first half of the weekend.
Once the cold front moves through, the pattern will undergo a sharp reversal, sending temperatures back below normal by the end of the weekend and the beginning of the following week.
Warm weather doesn’t mean winter is over
A warm spell during January doesn’t signal the end of winter, but it can make it more difficult for cold air to establish itself over the region for an extended period.
Climatologically, the third week of January is typically the coldest of the year, with overnight lows in the 30s and daytime highs only reaching the 50s.
This is due in part to what is usually a substantial snowpack across the Rockies and Plains, along with the influence of polar vortex disruptions near the North Pole - neither of which appears likely to significantly impact local weather over the next few weeks.
The last of the freezing weather usually occurs in late March and into early April, though weather patterns can allow Old Man Winter to still impact the region into the late spring.
