Snow still possible in Midlands where black ice is a threat, forecast shows
Snowfall in the Midlands remains a possibility, as does black ice, according to the forecast from the National Weather Service office in Columbia.
A winter weather mix of snow and rain might occur beginning Thursday afternoon and continue through the evening and early Friday morning, the NWS said.
There is a 100 percent chance of precipitation, according to the forecast. The continuous rain experienced in the Midlands this winter is predicted to turn into snow as temperatures are expected to drop to near, or below freezing.
While there might be flakes and flurries in the sky, don’t expect there to be any snow accumulation on the ground in the Columbia area, the NWS said. The forecast shows zero to less than an inch of snow is expected for most of the Midlands.
But the precipitation combined with freezing temperatures makes black ice a potential threat on many South Carolina roads, according to the forecast.
Black ice is more likely to form in “north-central South Carolina,” but there is a chance for it in the Midlands, the NWS reported.
The best hope for avoiding black ice forming in the Midlands will be if temperatures stay above 32 degrees and if 9-11 mph winds in the forecast act to dry off the roads. Bridges and overpasses are the most likely spots for black ice to form, according to the forecast.
At 8 a.m., it was 47 degrees at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, and that was expected to be the high-point temperature for Thursday, according to the NWS.
A winter weather advisory has been issued for the northern reaches of the Midlands, in Lancaster and Chesterfield counties. It begins at 1 p.m. and will last until 9 a.m. Friday, the NWS said.
Temperatures are predicted to drop below freezing overnight Friday, but no precipitation is expected in the forecast.
That won’t last long, as showers are forecast to return Sunday and continue through next Wednesday. No snow is expected over that period, as temperatures are forecast to remain around 50 degrees.
All of the precipitation will add to the 18-plus inches of rain recorded since December, making this Columbia’s wettest winter in the books.
The previous record was set in 1997-98, when 17.54 inches fell at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, the Southeast Regional Climate Center said on Twitter.
With more rain, or snow, comes the possibility of more flooding. Most Midlands rivers are expected to return to flood stages this week.
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This story was originally published February 20, 2020 at 8:24 AM with the headline "Snow still possible in Midlands where black ice is a threat, forecast shows."
