COLUMBIA, S.C. — A cold front will move through the area today, pushing the rain out but bringing cooler and windy weather to South Carolina. Winds will ramp up tonight, continuing into Thursday, with gusts reaching 30-40 mph on Thursday. Following the front, cold and dry conditions will dominate the weather through the weekend.
The cold front will move closer to the state today. This will bring an end to rain. The clouds will move out too. By evening, the front will bring a surge of colder air along with strong winds, particularly between 7 and 11 PM. A lake wind advisory has been issued, effective tonight through Thursday evening, as winds increase.
Daytime highs will reach the lower 70s before dropping sharply overnight, with lows ranging from the upper 30s to low 40s.
Behind the front, cold and dry air will sweep into the area, driven by strong northwest winds. A secondary system will enhance wind speeds Thursday afternoon, with gusts potentially reaching 40 mph. If these gusts become more widespread, a wind advisory may be issued.
Temperatures on Thursday will struggle to rise, remaining in the mid-50s despite sunny skies. The windy conditions will persist into Friday, though slightly weaker, with gusts of 25-30 mph expected. Daytime highs will again hover in the mid-50s, with clear skies continuing.
The cold trend will linger through the weekend as high pressure builds in, maintaining dry and sunny conditions. Frost could develop on Sunday morning, especially in low-lying areas. As the upper trough moves eastward, temperatures will climb into the above-average range early next week under high pressure and ridging. Moisture levels will remain low, extending the dry spell.
By early next week, expect highs to rise steadily, transitioning from weekend chill to warmer-than-average conditions. For now, prepare for the chilly, windy days ahead as we brace for much cooler weather.