Spring Cold Spell Surprises South Carolina Residents

Residents in Columbia, S.C. were taken aback by an unexpected cold snap on Tuesday morning as temperatures dipped to a low of 37 degrees.

This unusually chilly weather marked a stark contrast to the mild mornings the state had been experiencing, with most days starting off in the 40’s and 50’s, significantly higher than the average low of 44 degrees.

The last time South Carolina saw temperatures in the 30’s during the morning was back on March 11, making this recent cold spell quite a surprise.

This dip into the 30’s on a Spring morning was quite uncommon, as historical data shows a wide range of low temperatures during this time of year, from as warm as 64 degrees in 2016 to a chilly 37 degrees in 2015.

Interestingly, other years like 2017 and 2019 also witnessed morning lows in the 30’s, highlighting the variability of early Spring temperatures.

In stark contrast to this year’s cold start to Spring, 2020 saw record-breaking warmth with a morning low of 63 degrees.

Looking back at extremes, the coldest Spring morning in recent history was in 1967, when temperatures plummeted to a bone-chilling 20 degrees.

Despite the fluctuating temperatures, climatologically, it is not unusual for the transition from Winter to Spring to bring about freezing temperatures, typically around the middle of March.

When the National Weather Service issues a ‘freeze warning’, there is an 80% chance of temperatures reaching 32 degrees or lower, typically tied to the agricultural growing season starting on March 1st in this region.

The unexpected cold snap on Tuesday morning left many residents questioning the unpredictability of Spring weather, reminding them of the lingering grasp of winter before fully embracing the warmth of the new season.