Brutal cold, possible winter conditions return to Hilton Head this weekend. Here’s the forecast
For Hilton Head residents feeling a sense of déjà vu, you’re not alone. Another round of unseasonably cold weather is expected this weekend, along with a low-confidence but noteworthy chance for winter precipitation across the region.
The National Weather Service says unseasonably cold air will surge into the Lowcountry this weekend, bringing the potential for dangerously low wind chills and possible winter weather across the Hilton Head and Beaufort areas.
While confidence is high that temperatures will be well below normal, chances are still slim that precipitation will develop, and if it does, how impactful it may be.
Weekend forecast
An Arctic high-pressure system is expected to build into the Southeast late Friday and Saturday, ushering in some of the coldest air of the season.
Temperatures are expected to be 20 to 25 degrees below normal, with daytime highs Saturday limited to the lower 40s along the coast. Temperatures are expected to fall quickly late Saturday afternoon as northwest winds increase to 10–15 mph.
The coldest conditions are expected Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Overnight lows are forecast to drop into the teens and lower 20s, and when combined with persistent winds, wind chill values could fall into the single digits.
In addition to the cold, a developing area of low pressure offshore could bring precipitation to parts of southeast South Carolina and coastal Georgia this weekend.
While there is high confidence in the overall weather pattern, the finer details remain uncertain.
With very cold air firmly in place, forecasters say that any precipitation that does occur would most likely fall as snow or a wintry mix. Although it is still too early to determine whether any snow accumulation will occur.
According to the latest forecast from the NWS, the Hilton Head area is expected to have a 40-50% chance of experiencing minor impacts over the weekend, like winter driving conditions.
Temperatures are expected to gradually moderate early next week, bringing a return to more normal conditions after this unusual cold stretch.
Local forecast for the weekend
Here are the latest daily forecasts for Hilton Head and Beaufort, according to the NWS:
Hilton Head
- Saturday: 40% chance of rain changing to rain/snow, high near 45 degrees
- Saturday Night: 30% chance of snow, low near 23 degrees, blustery
- Sunday: Sunny, high near 42 degrees, breezy
Beaufort
- Saturday: 50% chance of rain and snow, high near 43 degrees
- Saturday Night: 30% chance of snow, low near 21 degrees
- Sunday: Sunny, high near 40 degrees
Cold shelters are available in Hilton Head and Beaufort Wednesday night through Friday morning.
As much of the forecast remains uncertain, for the most updated information, visit the NWS webpage.
