News Summary
Columbia is bracing for a mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow as the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the area. A low-pressure system is set to bring less than half an inch of overall precipitation, but the expected wintry mix could create hazardous road conditions, especially in the northern counties. Residents should prepare for icy roads, bundling up as temperatures may drop into the 20s. The advisory is in effect from Wednesday morning to Thursday morning, urging commuters to stay cautious.
Winter Weather Advisory for Columbia: Mixed Precipitation on the Way!
Columbia residents, brace yourselves! The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the area, warning us that a mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow could be heading our way this Wednesday.
What’s Cooking in the Weather Kitchen?
It looks like a low pressure system is planning to settle along the coast, which means our Midlands could be in for a bit of excitement. With temperatures still a little uncertain for Wednesday, we might just end up seeing rain instead of the wintery stuff. Fingers crossed for a snow day!
How Much Wet Stuff Are We Expecting?
Forecasters expect less than half an inch of total precipitation, with a slim tenth of an inch potentially falling as a wintry mix. So, if you’re hoping for a snowman, it might not be big enough to hang its hat on just yet!
When Will It All Start?
Make sure your umbrella is handy, as precipitation is expected to kick off Wednesday morning, carrying on into the night. As that chilly system moves through, keep an eye on the temperatures, which will likely bring sub-freezing air into our northern counties.
Prepare for the Icy Roads
As we look north into South Carolina, the anticipation builds as the icy mix could have a greater impact in those regions and even spread into North Carolina. The nighttime temperatures are likely to dip to about 30 degrees, adding a 30% chance of precipitation to the mix.
For all the commuters out there, keep in mind that just a little bit of wintry mix could lead to some traffic headache. The South Carolina Department of Transportation is already ahead of the game, prepping the roads by spraying salt brine to mitigate icy patches.
Bundle Up for Frigid Temperatures
And hold on tight because it’s about to get even colder! Thursday and Friday could see overnight lows dropping into the 20s, with a low of possibly 20 degrees predicted for Thursday night. Don’t forget that this could lead to black ice conditions on roadways, so choose your travel times wisely!
What’s Next for the Weekend?
But wait, there’s a silver lining in our forecast. By the weekend, we can expect daytime temperatures to bounce back into the 50s and 60s, bringing dry conditions to kick off next week!
A Walk Down Memory Lane
This might not be our first encounter with winter weather this season. If snow does make an appearance, it could mark the third snowstorm of 2025 for the Midlands. So far, we had two earlier storms, one on January 10 and another on January 22, with the latter showering some areas with up to 4 inches of snow. The most recent snowfall in Columbia was in January 2022, so we’re certainly due for a little winter magic!
What to Expect with the Advisory
For Kershaw and Lee counties, a winter weather advisory will be in effect from 11 a.m. Wednesday up until 5 a.m. Thursday. So, we might experience some hazardous conditions that can affect both Wednesday night and Thursday morning commutes.
Columbia’s Response to the Winter Weather
Columbia Public Works is on it! They’ll be deploying workers overnight for snow removal. While some transportation services are ready to roll as usual, others might see a few adjustments as crews tackle the wintry conditions.
And let’s not forget about the generous volunteers in our community—folks are rolling up their sleeves to help clear snow from sidewalks and driveways, proving once again that we’re all in this together!
Stay warm, Columbia, and keep your snow shovels handy just in case! Until next time!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- City of Columbia Winter Weather Update
- Columbia Missourian: Winter Storm Brings Closures
- Columbia Tribune: Snow Removal Update
- The State: Winter Weather Advisory
- Wikipedia: Winter Weather
