Winter storm to bring the coldest weather to Beaufort County and the Lowcountry in 5 years
Friday’s weather was expected to change so suddenly that the SC Climate Office said “it will hit you like a right cross from Mike Tyson in his prime.”
Winds are suddenly rising and temperatures are suddenly falling to the coldest weather South Carolina has had in almost five years, according to the National Weather Service.
A high Friday in the 50s was expected to drop to the low 20s by Saturday morning, with wind chills forecast in the single digits along the coast.
“The last time we had wind chill advisories at temperatures close to these levels were back in January of 2018,” the National Weather Service said at a briefing Friday morning. “This is something that doesn’t happen a whole lot in terms of the actual air temperatures and the wind chills.”
Unlike January 2018, snow (or even rain) is not predicted in Beaufort County, according to the service, though rainfall was previously expected.
A frigid air mass slammed the coast between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., accompanied by strong winds. The low 50s at daybreak was the warmest it was expected to be all day. The temperature will drop into the mid-30s by midday, with wind chills making it feel almost 10 degrees colder, according to the National Weather Service.
“Dress for the cold if you go out early,” the SC Climate Office report said.
The extreme cold and high winds are part of Winter Storm Elliott, which is spreading across the United States, bringing extreme low temperatures, snow and ice, canceling hundreds of flights and causing power outages.
Advisories and outages
The National Weather Service had issued a wind advisory until 9 p.m. Friday with expected winds 20-30 mph and gusts up to 40 mph. However, the service said they recorded a 49 mph gust in Beaufort County this morning.
Winds were causing some outages across the Lowcountry. Beaufort County reported few outages, but in Jasper County, about 800 were without power as of 3 p.m., according to a utility tracker. Eats and Sweets Bakery, Cafe and Chocolates in Ridgeland reported that its telephone lines were down. Customers, the business said, could still come in and place an order or dine in — “or pick up plenty of Christmas treats!”
“We are experiencing strong wind gusts across our service territory today resulting in scattered power outages,” Dominion Energy spokesman Paul Fischer said. “Crews are responding to ensure all customers are restored as quickly and safely as possible.”
The National Weather Service also placed a wind chill advisory in effect from Friday at 7 p.m. to Saturday at 11 a.m. due to “the combination of very cold temperatures and elevated gusts.”
Overnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday temperatures are forecast to be in the low 20s, according to the forecast.
“The cold wind chills could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken,” according to the advisory.
Saturday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 33 and wind chill values as low as 6. Temperatures will start getting warmer on Christmas Day with a high of 41 degrees and wind chills in the low 30s. On Monday, the high will climb to 43.
Shelters to open
The National Weather Serviced warned it is dangerous for anyone to be outside without proper clothing for any length of time. To prevent that, two shelters — one in Bluffton and the other in Beaufort — will open to community members who need a warm place to stay.
The Sea Island Presbyterian Church in Beaufort will open its doors Friday through Sunday, starting each evening at 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 a.m. The church is located at 81 Lady’s Island Drive. Dinner, showers and a free breakfast will be provided, according to the church’s Facebook page. Weapons, alcohol, smoking and pets are not allowed. However, service animals can be brought in.
The Bluffton Martin Luther King (MLK) Observance Committee will open the Rotary Club at 77 Shults Road to the public seeking warmth from Friday beginning at 5 p.m. through 9 a.m. Saturday. The committee plans to evaluate need with the possibility of keeping the shelter open until Monday morning.
Cots, blankets, sleeping bags, coffee, hot cocoa and meals will be provided, the MLK Committee’s Facebook page noted. It’s still in need of bottled water and snacks, and donations may be delivered to the Rotary Club at 3 p.m. Friday.
This story was originally published December 23, 2022 at 12:45 PM.
