Snowfall is becoming increasingly probable for parts of the Upstate region of South Carolina on Sunday morning, with light snow anticipated between 6 AM and noon. The weather event has prompted a First Alert Weather Day for the area.
A cold front is expected to stall to the south and east on Saturday night, while a dry arctic front moves in closely behind. This setup presents a slight possibility of snow across the Upstate, particularly along and east of I-85. However, meteorologists suggest that confidence in the precipitation forecast remains low, and any potential impacts are expected to be minimal. As of the current forecast, it appears most precipitation will align south and east of the Upstate; nonetheless, if the front shifts closer, the chances for snow may increase.
Localized spotty flurries are most likely in southern areas such as Laurens, Greenwood, Abbeville, and Union counties. Early morning temperatures are expected to hover around 30-32 degrees, warming to the mid-40s in the afternoon. Residents are advised not to panic if flurries appear, as road temperatures are warm, making significant accumulation unlikely. The chances of receiving an inch or more of snow are below 5%.
Looking ahead, another blast of cold air is expected to sweep into the region early next week, bringing dangerously low temperatures. Mountain areas could face particularly harsh conditions, with nighttime lows predicted to drop into the single digits and teens on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights. In the Upstate, temperatures will be chilly, reaching lows in the 20s. Daytime high temperatures are projected to stay in the 30s and low 40s, with winds adding to the chill by potentially driving wind chills below zero. Strong winds will follow a powerful high-pressure system, bringing drier air and clearer skies. Fortunately, conditions are expected to gradually normalize later in the week.
Residents are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates as the weather pattern develops.