Editor’s Note: This story has been updated. To find the most up-to-date weather information for Friday and Saturday January 21 and 22, please click here.
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A second wave of wintry conditions in less than a week could leave parts of Beaufort County icy on Friday and Saturday.
A press release from National Weather Service in Charleston said a cold front would pass through the region on Thursday. With the weather pattern, widespread freezing rain is possible early Friday evening through Saturday morning across much of southeastern South Carolina and Georgia.
The closer a person is to the beach, the less ice they will see due to the warming influence of the Atlantic Ocean, senior meteorologist Steven Taylor said.
“Right now there is uncertainty about how cold the atmosphere will be” in the Hilton Head area, he said. Forecasts show temperatures just below freezing for the island.
This means the greatest risk of freezing rain would be inland around Beaufort north to Yemassee and Walterboro.
“Closer to US 17 and I-95,” Taylor explained.
A press release from South Carolina State Climate Bureau said ice on elevated roads is possible Friday evening, as well as ice on trees and power lines that could cause power outages.
A sunny Saturday should warm the temperature above freezing during the day, but any water left on the roads on Saturday evening could become black ice when temperatures drop back below freezing.
And more wintry weather could be coming behind that turn.
“The pattern is favorable for more precipitation in the coming weeks,” Taylor said.
Beaufort County Forecast
Friday
Rain. High near 44. Wind north 11 to 13 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. Further precipitation amounts between a quarter and a half inch are possible.
Friday night
Rain likely before 9 p.m., then freezing rain likely. Cloudy, with lows around 30. Wind north around 11 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%. Little to no ice accumulation expected.
Saturday
Partly sunny with highs near 42.
Saturday night
Partly cloudy with a low around 29.
Sunday
Sunny with a high near 49.
Sunday night
Rather clear with a minimum around 32.
This story was originally published January 19, 2022 3:30 p.m.
