Cold weather advisory issued as deep freeze is forecast for Midlands area of SC
A deep freeze is expected to envelop the Columbia area of South Carolina Sunday, and temperatures are forecast to drop into the teens, according to the National Weather Service.
Bitterly cold weather will cause temperatures to fall throughout Sunday and go below the freezing point at night with the arrival of arctic air, National Weather Service meteorologists said in a morning briefing. The breezy conditions — with winds between 10 and 20 mph, and gusts as powerful as 30 mph — will combine with the low temperatures to create dangerously cold conditions, according to the briefing.
A cold weather advisory was issued for all the Midlands, and will go into effect at 8 p.m., meteorologists said. The advisory is scheduled to run through 10 a.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures will drop into the teens by Monday morning with wind chills in the single digits in some areas, according to the briefing. In Columbia, the temperature is predicted to reach a low of 18 degrees, the forecast shows. With the wind chill, temperatures in Columbia will feel closer to 12 degrees, according to the briefing.
Hypothermia or frostbite are possible with prolonged exposure to the cold weather effects, the National Weather Service said. Anyone without adequate shelter or clothing is at highest risk of injuries that are potentially fatal.
Additionally, the hard freeze poses a threat to vegetation.
The freezing conditions also present a threat to unprotected outdoor plumbing, according to meteorologists. To prevent water pipes that are not properly insulated from freezing then bursting, wrap or drain them, or allow them to drip slowly, the National Weather Service said.
Any pets also should be brought indoors, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
“Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors,” the National Weather Service said. “Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.”
The expected breezy conditions have prompted the National Weather Service to also issue a lake wind advisory. That will go into effect at 4 p.m. Sunday and run through 4 a.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Strong winds and rough waves on area lakes will create hazardous conditions and any boaters on the water should use extra caution as small craft face the risk of overturning, the National Weather Service said.
Conditions will begin to thaw Monday afternoon, but temperatures are predicted to drop below freezing again Monday night, according to the forecast. Lows in the mid 20s are possible in the Columbia area, the forecast shows.
When temperatures rise again Tuesday, they are expected to remain above freezing for the rest of the week, according to the forecast. From Wednesday through Friday, daytime temperatures are forecast to be in the 60s.
While the conditions will feel like winter weather Sunday and Monday, there is no chance of any snow in the Midlands region of South Carolina, according to the forecast. There’s no precipitation of any kind expected until later in the week, and by that time temperatures are forecast to be well above freezing.
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This story was originally published December 14, 2025 at 10:13 AM with the headline "Cold weather advisory issued as deep freeze is forecast for Midlands area of SC."
