SC’s weekend winter storm not expected to bring snow to Beaufort Co. Here’s the forecast
A winter storm moving over South Carolina might bring snow to the mountainous areas in the northern part of the state over the weekend, but not Beaufort County, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston.
As usual, Beaufort County, despite residents already donning their winter best, is not included in the areas expected to see any kind of snowfall.
The storm is projected to move up the southern tier of the Appalachian Mountains before heading north, according to Michael Stroz, a NWS meteorologist. The temperatures in Beaufort County, Stroz said, are just too warm. The area, however, has an 80% chance of rain over the three-day weekend.
“Late Saturday night into Sunday appears to be the time period with the greatest risk of rainfall,” Stroz said.
The forecast from the NWS estimates showers will begin around 8 p.m. Saturday and rain until 2 a.m. Sunday. After that, showers can be expected after 2 p.m. Sunday. Sunday night will be mostly cloudy with a 20% chance of rain.
The chance for flooding will be low as the area is estimated to see only an inch of rain, Stroz said. The worst of the storm is projected to be inland and in the northern part of the state, he said. Because of this, and the chance of ice on the roads in other parts of the state, the S.C. Department of Transportation is preparing for a “worst-case scenario,” Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall said in a Wednesday press release.
The department plans to line the roads with salt and is preparing ice-breaking chemicals to protect drivers on interstate highways and roads closest to hospitals and emergency shelters. The department also has contracts with private towing companies to place wreckers on the interstate to “prevent lengthy backups” in case of a crash or a breakdown, the press release said. If possible, drivers should stay off the roads over the weekend.
“If you must drive, slow down and watch for crews performing de-icing and plowing operations,” Hall said.
Ice is not expected to be a problem on Beaufort County roads, Stroz said.
Friday is expected to be sunny with a high of 60 degrees and winds reaching up to 10 mph with 22-mph gusts. Friday night will be partly cloudy with calm winds and a low of 41 degrees.
Saturday during the day will have a high near 61 degrees and a low of 46 degrees at night.
During the day Sunday, the high will be near 63 degrees but may drop to as low as 38 degrees at night.
Monday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high of 53 degrees. At night, it will be mostly clear, and temperatures will drop to 34 degrees.
