WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
SOUTH CAROLINA AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES
0814 AM EST WED JAN 8 2025
NORTHERN HALF OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO EXPERIENCE WINTER WEATHER FRIDAY AND EARLY SATURDAY…
SYNOPSIS:
Colder than normal temperatures will continue as an area of high pressure continues to affect the area through Thursday. An area of developing low pressure will move from the Texas coast through the northern Gulf of Mexico. This will lead to an increase possibility of precipitation across the entire state Friday afternoon into early Saturday morning. Temperatures will remain below normal allowing for wintry precipitation across the northern half of the state.
KEY MESSAGES – UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA:
The consensus trend in the latest guidance is toward a slightly colder, but also slightly drier scenario with more snow and less ice.
At this time, most of Upstate SC will be under a Winter Weather Advisory. There will likely be some changes to the advisory area if conditions dictate an upgrade to a Winter Storm Watch/Warning. Current models lean towards the system not quite reaching warning criteria at this time.
KEY MESSAGES – MIDLANDS I-20 CORRIDOR:
Confidence is increasing that northern portions of the SC Midlands west of and along the I-20 corridor will likely see frozen precipitation mixed with rain Friday evening through early Saturday. Freezing rain is becoming the more likely scenario. This could lead to increased power outages and trees down depending on the amount of ice accumulated. No decisions have been made at this time regarding advisory or watch warning status for the midlands as of this message.
KEY MESSAGES – PEEDEE NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA
Current expectations is that most of the Peedee region will remain mostly rain with isolated pockets of frozen precipitation in northern counties along the SC/NC border. Impacts for this area are currently expected to be minim.
AMATEUR RADIO ACTIVATION:
The SCEOC out of an abundance of caution has placed radio room operators on standby in case of communications needs. Currently, communications outages over a wide spread area is not anticipated. Everyone is encouraged to monitor the situation closely and ensure all preparations are in place for activation should the need arise.
Another update will be sent out later Wednesday or when conditions warrant.
BLI/K9OH
