COLUMBIA, S.C. — A colder, drier weather pattern is settling into the region as we head into the weekend. Today, gusty winds will stick around. The weekend itself looks dry, with temperatures slowly starting to climb back up after this cold snap.
After a cold front moved offshore, chilly, dry air poured into the area. Strong winds will persist through the day, with gusts over 30 mph likely in spots. A lake wind advisory is in effect until this evening. Despite plenty of sunshine, temperatures will not climb much, with highs only in the 50s. Tonight, the winds will ease a bit, but they will still be noticeable at around 10 mph, keeping that cold air flowing in from the north.
Temperatures tonight are expected to dip sharply, especially in the northern Midlands, where some spots could hit freezing. A freeze watch has been issued for that area. The watch includes Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, and Newberry counties. Frost and freezing temperatures may harm crops, damage sensitive plants, and pose a risk to outdoor plumbing if left unprotected.
Elsewhere across the Midlands, lows will drop into the mid-30s, which could lead to frost in sheltered spots. However, the dry air and lingering breezes may limit how much frost forms.
Friday will stay cool, with highs in the mid-50s. Winds will be breezy but not as strong as today. Overnight, another round of cold air could lead to near-freezing temperatures again. By Saturday, things will start warming up a bit, with highs reaching the low 60s. Dry weather will continue, and overnight lows will stay chilly in the mid-30s.
Looking ahead to Sunday and next week, the weather turns milder and stays dry for a while. Highs will climb into the upper 60s and low 70s by early next week as warmer air moves in. By midweek, a new cold front may bring some unsettled weather, but rain looks unlikely.
