Live updates: Sunny skies begin to melt Hilton Head snow
10 a.m.: Snow starts to melt on Hilton Head Island
Sunny skies over Hilton Head on Sunday started to melt the snow covering the island’s vegetation, sidewalks, businesses and public facilities.
Drops of water fell off the snow-covered roof at Coligny Plaza, drizzling down to the pavement below. Some of the ice on the island’s roadways started to melt; authorities are asking the public to stay off the road today, if possible.
The weather was cold on the island this morning; an extreme cold warning has been issued for the area until 1 p.m. The temperature was 21 degrees at 10:20 a.m. The National Weather service said highs could reach 38 degrees on Sunday, but Sunday night will be colder, with an anticipated low of 23 degrees.
8:20 a.m.: Snow measurements starting to come in
As National Weather Service Charleston waits for more measurements of snow across the Lowcountry, preliminary reports show accumulation of between 1.5 and 2.6 inches across Beaufort County.
According to data points collected by the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRAHS), trained volunteers reported snowpack depth of up to 1.5 inches in Beaufort and more than 2 inches in Bluffton. Two reports were in from Bluffton as of 8:20 a.m. Sunday, one reporting 2 inches of snow and the second reporting 2.6 inches.
NWS Charleston uses CoCoRAHS data — collected through volunteers — to help determined its snowfall and depth totals, said Neil Dixon, a meteorologist at the local office. Additional reports will come in throughout the day as people wake up, and NWS will compile the information and release more details later, he said.
7:10 a.m.: NWS warns of hazardous travel as Sunday morning cold sets in
An extreme cold warning is in place until 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, with the lowest temperatures coming early Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service Charleston’s 5 a.m. update.
NWS warned of hazardous travel conditions, including possible black ice, and a winter weather advisory is in place until 10 a.m. Sunday.
Temperatures in the Beaufort area could get as low as 21 degrees early Sunday, and the wind chill could be as cold as 6 degrees. Throughout the day, temperatures could get as high as 36 degrees. Winds will “gradually diminish” this morning, NWS said, and sunny skies today will help encourage snow to melt.
7:45 p.m.: It’s snowing in Hilton Head, and it’s windy
Snow and wind were out in full force on Hilton Head Island Saturday night. Snow came down hard and fast, and winds shook the island’s many draping trees.
A light dusting accumulated in Main Street Village at Hilton Head Plantation. Snow covered benches, outdoor tables and plants outside of Cactus Street Cantina.
The walkway to Folly Field Beach was coated in snow Saturday night. At the beach, waves crashed into the shore with the same ferocity as the wind.
6 p.m.: Snow continues to accumulate across the Lowcountry
Snow fell in Beaufort, Port Royal and Hilton Head Island Saturday evening in an extremely rare weather event for coastal South Carolina, with the accumulation a treat for the uninitiated but potentially treacherous for drivers.
As temperatures fell, the unusual winter storm initially produced a mix of rain and specks of snow and ice in the early afternoon. By 4:30 p.m., as darkness approached, that flurry had turned to fluffy white snowflakes that floated from the gray skies like aliens in a region better known for its palmetto and live oak trees, beaches and balmy wintertime temperatures in the 60s, not its snowscapes.
5 p.m.: Couple hoped to escape the snow with Hilton Head vacation. Instead, they found it
4:30 p.m. Lawton Stables bundles up their horses
Lawton Stables on Hilton Head Island had its horses all bundled up as the snowy mix started on the island Saturday.
3:30 p.m.: Heavier snowy mix starts in Hilton Head
A wintry mix brought what appeared to be snow to Hilton Head just before 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Specs of white could be seen coming from the sky at Coligny Plaza, but they appeared to dissolve shortly after hitting the pavement.
3 p.m.: Wintry mix falling in Hilton Head
A wintry mix, including specks of snow, is starting to come down slowly in Hilton Head. Small drops of white could be seen sticking to windshields in the public parking lot for Coligny Beach.
2:30 p.m.: Snow starts slowly in Beaufort, light freezing rain fluctuates in Hilton Head
Specs of snow started to fall in Beaufort around 2 p.m. Saturday, and Hilton Head got a touch of freezing rain. The light rain stopped on the island under overcast skies just before 3 p.m.; rain is expected to turn into snow as the day goes on.
Skies in Bluffton were overcast Saturday afternoon.
1 p.m.: Help for those with medical equipment if power goes out
The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has opened its Triage Line for residents to call to determine their eligibility for Medical Equipment Power Shelters (MEPS) if there’s an emergency power outage. Call:
Triage Line: 1-833-351-9990 to determine MEPS eligibility
Care Line: 1-855-472-3432 for health department or other information.
12:50 p.m.: Watch the snow fall from home with live cameras
If you want to watch the snow fall without having to brave the record cold, there’s a way to do that from the comfort of your home: Webcams.
Places like Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, the Salty Dog Cafe and the Sea Pines Resort all have live cameras for people to watch outdoor conditions from home. Beaufort County also has traffic cameras, so folks can keep an eye on road conditions in real-time.
11:45 a.m.: Sunday could be coldest Feb. 1 on record in Beaufort
According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data, which goes back to 1945, the lowest observed temperature on Feb. 1 on record was 26 degrees in 1980. The warmest Feb. 1 in history was 81 degrees in 2023.
The National Weather Service Charleston said Saturday morning that Sunday could be as cold as 19 degrees, with wind chills as low as 4 degrees.
8:30 a.m.: Beaufort County facilities closed this weekend
Beaufort County facilities will be closed all day Saturday and Sunday because of the weather forecast, the county said on Facebook.
The county’s convenience centers will be closed Saturday and Sunday and are expected to reopen Monday. The Lowcountry Ferry will continue to keep an eye on conditions and make every effort to continue service until the weather prevents it from doing so, but riders should anticipate schedule changes.
8 a.m. update: Record-breaking cold forecasted for late Saturday/early Sunday
Record cold is expected to hit the Lowcountry this weekend, with the coldest period happening from Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Temperatures could reach as low as 19 degrees Sunday morning, with wind chills as low as 4 degrees, according to the National Weather Service Charleston.
Beaufort County is expected to see 1-2 inches of snow late Saturday into Sunday, but residents should prepare for 2.
Early Saturday morning: What’s the latest forecast?
A rare winter weather event is expected to bring accumulating snow, dangerous travel conditions and extreme cold this weekend into early next week.
Snow could start to fall between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., but is most likely to fall between 1 and 4 p.m., according to the National Weather Service’s 2 p.m. update on Friday. Snowfall is expected to end between 3 and 7 a.m. on Sunday for the Lowcountry.
The Beaufort County area is anticipated to only see 1 inch of snow, but residents should be prepared for up to 3 inches.
Beaufort County Sheriff urges caution
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to be cautious ahead of forecasted snow.
In a Friday afternoon social media post, the sheriff’s office said residents and visitors should stay home and avoid traveling if they can. Residents should also take care to protect the “four Ps”: people, pets, pipes and plants.
People should keep their houses warm, the sheriff’s office said, but they should keep safety in mind. More safety tips can be found here.
Saturday morning update: Warming shelters are open
Sea Island Presbyterian Church: 81 Ladys Island Drive, Beaufort
- Open: Friday, Jan. 30 to Sunday, Feb. 1
- Time: Opens at 5:30 p.m., closes at 8 a.m. the following morning
- Dinner, breakfast provided and showers available
- No weapons, alcohol, smoking, or pets are permitted; service animals will be allowed
- For additional information, click here or call 843-525-0696
Christ Lutheran Church: 829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island
- Open: Saturday, Jan. 31 to Monday, Feb. 2
- Time: Opens at 5:30 p.m., closes at 7:30 a.m. the following morning
- Dinner, morning to-go meal provided
- No weapons, alcohol, smoking, or pets are permitted; service animals will be allowed
- For additional information and transportation assistance from the island, click here or call 843-422-7640
This story was originally published January 31, 2026 at 4:30 AM.