Beaufort County braces for frigid temps as warming shelters open. Here’s the latest forecast
Beaufort County may have dodged the ice and snow from Winter Storm Fern, but the cold weather is far from finished with the Lowcountry.
An arctic air mass has settled into the region, ushering in a stretch of bitterly cold nights that will linger through the week and into the weekend. While skies will often be sunny during the day, overnight temperatures will plunge well below freezing, creating cold conditions across the area.
Week-long forecast for Beaufort County
The National Weather Service says a cold weather advisory is in effect for southeast South Carolina from 10 p.m. Monday through 9 a.m. Tuesday, with additional advisories likely as the prolonged cold pattern continues.
Forecasters say overnight apparent temperatures are expected to drop into the upper teens to low 20s each night — unusually cold for the Lowcountry.
Monday will remain sunny in Beaufort County, with afternoon highs reaching the low 50s, though gusty west winds will make it feel cooler. Clear skies Monday night will allow temperatures to fall quickly, with lows dipping into the mid-20s.
The cold trend continues Tuesday, with sunshine and highs in the upper 40s, followed by another freezing night. Similar conditions are expected through midweek, as daytime temperatures hover near 50 degrees, but overnight lows remain at or below freezing.
By the end of the week, clouds will increase slightly, and a 20% chance of showers will arrive late Friday night.
NWS forecasters are currently watching the potential for rain and snow showers on Saturday, though chances remain low, around 20%. Saturday’s high is expected to struggle to reach the low 40s, with another freezing night to follow.
Conditions improve slightly on Sunday with sunshine returning, but temperatures will remain below seasonal norms, topping out in the mid-40s.
Warming shelters available
With these sub-freezing temperatures lasting all week, warming shelters are opening across Beaufort County for those in need.
Each shelter will operate nightly from Jan. 26 to Jan. 29, opening at 5:30 p.m. and closing at 8 a.m. the following morning.
Christ Lutheran Church: Hilton Head Island
- Address: 829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island
- Dinner and a morning-to-go meal provided
- No weapons, alcohol, smoking or pets allowed (service animals permitted)
- Transportation assistance available from Hilton Head locations until 10 p.m.; call 843-422-7640 for more information
- Click here for more information
Sea Island Presbyterian Church: Beaufort
- Address: 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort
- Dinner and breakfast provided
- Showers available
- No weapons, alcohol, smoking or pets allowed (service animals permitted)
- For more information, call 843-525-0696 or click here
For the latest forecast and updates for your area, visit the NWS webpage.
This story was originally published January 26, 2026 at 9:49 AM.
