South Carolina Freezing Rain Threat Intensifies as Northern Midlands Face 0.25–0.50 Inches of Ice From Sunday Morning Through Monday
SOUTH CAROLINA — A dangerous round of additional freezing rain is expected to worsen travel conditions across South Carolina’s Northern Midlands through Monday morning, as subfreezing temperatures allow ice to continue accumulating on roads, bridges, and power lines.
According to updated data from the National Weather Service office in Columbia, freezing rain that has already fallen is being followed by another round of ice accumulation between 7 a.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Monday, with the greatest impacts focused north of Columbia.
Where the Greatest Ice Accumulation Is Expected
The highest-risk areas are shown in red on the updated ice accumulation map, where 0.25 to 0.50 inches of additional ice is possible — enough to cause hazardous travel and isolated infrastructure issues.
The most impacted locations include:
- Newberry
- Winnsboro
- Columbia
- Camden
- Lancaster
These areas sit squarely in the Northern Midlands, where surface temperatures are expected to remain below freezing, allowing rain to freeze on contact.
Surrounding Areas Still at Risk
Areas just south and east of the main ice band — shown in yellow — could still see 0.01 to 0.25 inches of ice, which is enough to make untreated roads slick, especially during overnight and early-morning hours.
Locations with lighter but still impactful ice potential include:
- Edgefield
- Sumter
- Orangeburg
- Manning
- Barnwell
- Augusta-area communities just across the state line
Timeline: When Conditions Will Be Worst
- Sunday Morning: Freezing rain continues across the Northern Midlands as temperatures remain below 32°F
- Sunday Afternoon & Evening: Ice accumulation increases, especially on bridges and elevated roadways
- Overnight Sunday Night: Travel conditions deteriorate further as temperatures stay cold
- Early Monday Morning: Ice remains on roads during the morning commute before gradual improvement later Monday
Travel and Safety Impacts
The National Weather Service warns that travel could remain difficult to dangerous in spots due to ice buildup. Even small changes in temperature could make conditions rapidly worse.
Expected impacts include:
- Slick and icy roadways
- Dangerous bridge and overpass conditions
- Increased risk of vehicle accidents
- Possible isolated power disruptions if ice accumulates on lines and trees
Officials urge drivers to avoid unnecessary travel, slow down significantly, and use extreme caution if driving is unavoidable.
Why This Event Is Concerning
Freezing rain events are particularly dangerous because ice is often invisible, forming a smooth glaze that provides little traction. With temperatures locked below freezing across the Northern Midlands, any additional rain will immediately freeze, compounding earlier impacts.
Forecasters stress that conditions may vary sharply over short distances, making it difficult for drivers to judge road safety until it is too late.
What Residents Should Do Now
- Delay travel if possible, especially overnight and early Monday
- Monitor local emergency and transportation updates
- Prepare for possible delays, school or business disruptions, and lingering ice into Monday
CabarrusWeekly will continue tracking this winter weather threat as conditions evolve. Have you seen dangerous road conditions in your area? Share your experience with us at CabarrusWeekly.
