For parts of the state, snow on the way
From Frank Straight of the South Carolina Climate Office this afternoon:
“Snow On the Way Friday Night
Confidence is increasing that much of the state will see some snow Friday night. It won’t be a lot, but parts of the state likely see an inch or two. Here are the most critical points this afternoon:
- South Carolina will be on the southern edge of the area which will see snow.
- Those planning to travel north along the East Coast this weekend can expect hazardous roads and air travel delays.
- Accumulations will mainly be confined to the area near I-26 and places to the northeast. Look for accumulations of a coating to an inch for most of this area, but locally 1-2 inches in the Catawba River area and Pee Dee.
- In most areas, precipitation begins as rain late Friday or Friday evening, quickly turning to snow Friday night, but it might be all snow in the Upstate.
- Snow lasts 3-6 hours Friday night, lingering into early Saturday at the coast.
- Temperatures drop well below freezing Friday night; roads can be slick from the snow, or from refreezing slush or meltwater.
- Blustery conditions will lead to harsh wind chill in the single digits and teens.
- This weekend will be cold like last weekend; snow will be slow to melt, especially if it turns out to be more than an inch or two.
Our computer model guidance is in better agreement, but the main question is how quickly the coastal storm organizes while still close enough to South Carolina to cause precipitation.
I think that the latest 3km NAM model’s simulated radar output gives a decent visualization of how the storm will progress through South Carolina.”