COLUMBIA, S.C. — Much of South Carolina is headed for its first frost and freeze of the season this weekend, with freeze watches posted for early Sunday from the Midlands to inland parts of the Lowcountry.
Another cold front moving through Friday locks in the chill. In the Midlands, patchy frost could form Saturday morning if the wind stays light, and Sunday looks colder still, with lows in the low 30s and many spots slipping below freezing for a few hours. A freeze watch runs from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday. A first freeze would officially close out the growing season there.
Near the coast, the weekend is shaping up as the coldest stretch since March. Charleston should fall to the upper 30s by Saturday morning, with low-to-mid 30s possible farther inland. Very patchy frost is possible Saturday west of Interstate 95, mostly on rooftops and in sheltered spots, but the bigger frost risk comes Sunday, when the National Weather Service freeze watch covers inland communities from late Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Afternoons will stay cool too, with highs only in the upper 50s Saturday and near 60 on Sunday. Coastal temperatures should return to normal by Wednesday and could reach the low 70s by the end of next week.
Forecasters advise covering tender plants or bringing potted ones inside, wrapping exposed outdoor pipes and keeping pets indoors overnight.
There is a fire concern as well. Drought has deepened across the state over the past week, and dry air with gusty winds will raise the danger of brush fires over the next several days, especially with little rain expected through about Nov. 20.
From the HERE City State Desk
Section: More Irmo SC crime news
Filed under: Irmo SC Public Safety News
