Home / Weather / SC Braces for Blizzard-Like Conditions, Extreme Cold
SC Braces for Blizzard-Like Conditions, Extreme Cold
30 Jan
Summary
- Heavy snow and bitter cold are predicted for Friday through Saturday.
- Accumulations of 2-12 inches of snow are possible across the region.
- Winds could create blowing snow, reducing visibility and posing travel risks.
A major winter storm is forecast to impact the region from Friday afternoon, January 30th, through Saturday night, January 31st, with heavy snowfall and extreme cold. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the North Carolina mountains, with potential upgrades for other areas. Snowfall accumulations are expected to range from 2-4 inches generally, with isolated bands possibly receiving 8-12 inches.
Strong winds accompanying dry, powdery snow may lead to blowing snow and reduced visibility, with isolated instances of blizzard conditions not ruled out. The cold air moving in will cause snow to stick to roads, significantly impacting travel throughout the weekend and into the following week. Overnight lows on Saturday night are predicted to be in the single digits to low teens, resulting in wind chills as low as -10 to -20 degrees in the mountains.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation has begun pretreating state roadways in anticipation of this "statewide snow event." Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson counties in South Carolina could see 4-7 inches of snow. Additionally, an extreme cold watch is in effect from January 31st to February 1st, with dangerously cold air expected to persist into Monday morning, February 2nd.
This storm poses a risk to scheduled events, including the Clemson basketball game against Pitt on January 31st. AccuWeather projects 1-3 inches of snow for Clemson on January 31st, with breezy conditions. Residents are advised to prepare a winter storm plan and stay informed about weather alerts.
