Weather News

Beaufort County, Hilton Head wake up to first snowfall in 7 years. What’s next for area?

Residents in Beaufort County and Hilton Head woke up Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, to several inches of snow on the ground.
Residents in Beaufort County and Hilton Head woke up Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, to several inches of snow on the ground. llarsen@islandpacket.com

Beaufort County and Hilton Head experienced their first snowfall in seven years Tuesday night, and while the chances for winter precipitation ended Wednesday, the area remains under a cold weather advisory until Thursday.

The winter storm warning was lifted Wednesday at noon, according to the National Weather Service. However, cold temperatures will continue through the next few days, making roadways potentially dangerous.

Wednesday’s high in Beaufort County was 35 degrees with a low of 21 degrees overnight. On Thursday, the daytime high will reach only 36 degrees. Temperatures Wednesday night were expected to reach near record lows.

The cold temperatures that hover around freezing also create a risk for more dangerous roads Wednesday and Thursday night. Melted snow can refreeze and create black ice, which causes incredibly slippery roads. There is also a risk that cables on suspension bridges will accumulate ice, which then can fall onto passersby.

This story was originally published January 22, 2025 at 9:06 AM.

Lydia Larsen
The Island Packet
Lydia Larsen covers climate and environmental issues along South Carolina’s coast. Before trading the lab bench for journalism, she studied how copepods (tiny crustaceans) adapt to temperature and salinity shifts caused by climate change. A Wisconsin native, Lydia covered climate science and Midwest environmental issues before making the move to South Carolina.
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