Wind chill in Beaufort County will drop ‘feels like’ temps into the teens. Here’s when

Sarah Haselhorst
·2 min read

With snow inundating much of the Northeast and sub-zero temperatures chilling the Midwest, the inescapable winter wrath is soon heading for Beaufort County, according to the National Weather Service.

While snow won’t be a concern for the Lowcounty, a local meteorologist said Saturday evening and Sunday morning’s wind chill will make feels-like temperatures “bitterly cold.”

“We’re forecasting a minimum wind chill for much of Beaufort County in the 10 to 15-degree range,” said Steven Taylor, a meteorologist with the NWS’ Charleston Office.

An arctic area of high pressure coming down Friday behind a cold front will set the stage for the frigid and blustery weekend, Taylor said. It’s not likely, he added, that Beaufort County’s high temperatures will needle above the low-to-mid 40s during the day on Saturday and Sunday.

Yes, this is not normal. Typical high temperatures this time of year sit around the low 60s, making this weekend’s highs about 20 degrees lower than average, Taylor said. Lows average in the 40s.

And no, this is not a record. The lowest Savannah — the closest location the NWS measures historical data — ever chilled was 3 degrees in 1985.

“The chances of surpassing that are pretty low,” Taylor said.

Before the glacial stretch grips Beaufort County, the NWS said it’s in for a “roller coaster” of a week. Early on, highs reached the 60s, and by Wednesday temperatures will cool to the 40s. Before the weekend freeze, Thursday and Friday will spike again to the 60s.

Heading into the abnormally wintry week, Taylor urged Lowcountry residents to plan ahead, especially preparing for the potential of freezing pipes. If exposed and outside, the meteorologist reminded people to cover the pipes. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division said during the cold weekend, check on the vulnerable, and bring pets inside or provide adequate outdoor shelter, and cover or bring plants indoors.

Five-day forecast

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 46. Low around 32.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Low around 45.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Low around 28.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 40. Low around 23.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 43. Low around 30.