COLUMBIA, S.C. — As the 2010's come to a close, we took a look at some of the worst and weirdest weather to hit the South Carolina Midlands these past 10 years. We broke records for wettest days, hottest days, and saw plenty of snowfall in between. Here's a look at the numbers.
#1 Wettest Day of the Decade
During the historic 2015 floods, the Columbia Airport reported 6.87" of rain, the highest amount for any day on record. Records go back 125 years.
#2 Snowiest Day
February 12, 2010 was the snowiest day. 8.6” of snow fell at the airport. There were only 4 other days this decade with an inch or more of snowfall at the Columbia Airport. The last snowstorm with more than inch of rain was back in the winter of 2014. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport saw a decade total of about 18 inches of snow, which is about 3 inches more than 125 year average for a 10 year time frame.
#3 Hottest Day
The hottest day of the decade happened back to back on June 29 and June 30, 2012. The mercury soared to 109 degrees officially in Columbia making it the hottest June day on record.
#4 Coldest Morning
The coldest morning was January 25, 2014. The Columbia Airport reported a low of 11 degrees. The same afternoon reached 52F.
#5 Other Interesting Points.
The decade was slightly rainier than the average. About 455" of rain fell in the past 10 years, which is about 10 inches more than the average for the time frame.
The decade will be remembered for numerous broken heat records. Aside from reaching 109F in June 2012, May 2019 broke a record for the most 100 degree days in the month and the highest high temperature in the 125 year record book (101F). October 2019 reached 100 degrees twice (only the second and third time ever). February 2014 reached 84 degrees for the first time ever. June, July, and September all broke records this decade for their warmest mornings on record.