COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Midlands of South Carolina will see another sharp drop in temperatures as a blast of Arctic air settles into the region. Overnight lows are forecast to dip to 22°F, marking the coldest temperature of the season so far.
Some areas may experience even colder conditions, with readings a few degrees lower. This bitter cold will persist into Wednesday morning and beyond, reinforcing a stretch of dry and frigid weather. With those concerns in mind, News19 has issued a weather impact alert for the overnight hours through early Wednesday morning.
When
7 p.m. - 8 a.m.
Impact
By morning, temperatures across the region will range from the mid to upper 20s, so you’ll definitely need to bundle up before stepping outside. Despite sunny skies, don’t expect much of a warm-up. Highs on Wednesday will only reach the mid-40s, making it a chilly day even in the afternoon sunshine. The cold air is here to stay, thanks to a strong Canadian Arctic high-pressure system that’s pushing deep into the central plains.
Wednesday night into Thursday morning will be a little better, with an overnight low of 39 degrees. On Thursday, as a new front moves through, temperatures will rise slightly, with a high of 61 degrees. However, it will be a windy day, so don’t expect it to feel much warmer.
We'll plunge again the next day and this weekend', as we're currently expecting a low of 25 on Friday morning and 23 on Saturday before sunrise.
Need
With these frigid conditions settling in, it’s essential to take precautions to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property:
Check on vulnerable individuals: Ensure that elderly neighbors and others in need have adequate heating and are prepared for these cold nights.
Bring pets indoors: Temperatures in the 20s are dangerous for animals to be left outside.
Protect your pipes: If you haven’t already, wrap exposed pipes to prevent freezing. To avoid pipe bursts, let your faucets drip slightly overnight to keep water flowing.
Safeguard plants: Bring sensitive plants inside or cover them to shield them from freezing temperatures.
Practice heating safety: Ensure space heaters are placed away from flammable materials and never leave them unattended. Check that your smoke detectors are working properly.
