COLUMBIA, S.C. — It hasn't felt much like fall in the Midlands since the season began at the end of September. During the month of October, 20 of the 31 days in October saw above normal temperatures. The warmest afternoon during the month of October was on October 7th with a high of 89 degrees.
During the month, the Columbia area also broke the record high temperature on October 26th. The previous record high was 87 degrees set in 1974 and 2014. The new record of 88 degrees was set in 2024.
In addition to the high temperatures being above normal during the month, the low temperatures were also above normal. The warmest morning we saw in October was on October 8th with the low temperature at 66 degrees.
In addition to warmer than normal temperatures through the month, October was very dry. Today marks 34 days since the Columbia area received any measurable rainfall. The last time it rained in the area was on September 27th, during Helene.
The last time the Columbia area saw 30 or more days without any measurable rainfall was in October of 2016. The record amount of time without any measurable rainfall in the Columbia area was 40 days in 1961.
As a result of this, the entire Midlands are currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with portions of Clarendon, Calhoun, and Orangeburg Counties in a moderate drought. The amount of rainfall normally received during October in the Columbia area is 3.13 inches.
However, despite a dry October, the Columbia area has received higher than normal rainfall amounts for the year as a whole. Currently, the Columbia area has seen 6.86 inches more rainfall than the amount normally measured in a calendar year.
