Cold shelters opening in Beaufort County as dangerous winter storm moves into SC
Two cold weather shelters are opening in Beaufort County this week as a massive cold front moves into the Lowcountry, threatening below-freezing temperatures and strong winds.
The major winter storm, which over the weekend caused widespread school cancellations and travel delays in western and central swaths of the U.S., could bring late-night and early-morning temperatures into the low 30s and high 20s in the Hilton Head Island area.
This week’s lowest temperature is expected to be 29 degrees Fahrenheit at 5 a.m. Friday, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service’s Charleston office. Feels-like temperatures could reach a minimum of 23 degrees Fahrenheit at 3 a.m. Tuesday with help from wind gusts up to 21 mph.
Beaufort and Jasper counties were under a wind advisory until 4 p.m. Monday. NWS forecasts predicted southwest winds from 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, capable of blowing around unsecured objects.
Monday afternoon showers in the Beaufort County area were expected to bring about .10 inches of precipitation, followed by a midweek dry spell. Light showers are expected to return Friday afternoon, making for a rainy weekend as low temperatures rise back into the high 30s and low 40s.
The week’s forecast lows are nearly 20 degrees colder than the area’s average January temperature of 47.7 degrees Fahrenheit, according to NWS climate data from 1991 to 2020.
Snow is not expected in the Hilton Head area this week.
Beaufort County does not organize cold shelters during the winter months, leaving the responsibility to faith communities to keep the local homeless population safe from dangerous low temperatures.
Where are the cold shelters located?
Sea Island Presbyterian Church (81 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort)
- Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights (Jan. 6-9) from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. the following morning
- Breakfast and dinner provided
- Showers available
- No weapons, alcohol, smoking or pets; service animals permitted
For additional information, call the church at 843-525-0696.
Christ Lutheran Church (829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island)
- Open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights (Jan. 7-9) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. the following morning
- Morning to-go meal and dinner provided
- No weapons, alcohol, smoking or pets; service animals permitted
For additional information, call the church at 843-540-4299.
Both churches also opened their doors for those in need during a cold snap in early December.
7-day forecast for Beaufort County
Monday: Showers, mainly before 3pm. High near 66. Breezy, with a west wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. Breezy, with a west wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 48. North wind 7 to 11 mph.
Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 47.
Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48.
Friday night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52.
Saturday night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 2:06 PM.
