A Warm Start to November Brings Record-Breaking Temperatures to Columbia, S.C.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Warm Start to November

Well, folks, can you believe it’s November already? It seems like just yesterday we were enjoying the summer heat, and now we’re stepping into fall with some surprisingly warm temperatures! Today, Columbia is experiencing some delightful weather, with highs in the lower 80s — a bit unseasonably warm for this time of year, but no complaints here!

Record-Breaking Warmth

Just yesterday, on Halloween, we saw the mercury rise into the lower to middle 80s. Isn’t that something? The Columbia airport recorded a high of 83 degrees, while Orangeburg even peeked up to 84 degrees! With the warm temperatures, it feels like summer is hanging around just a tad longer, which has made for some fantastic celebrations and enjoyable evenings.

A Dry and Warm October

As we wrap up October, I have to mention that we only recorded a trace of rainfall throughout the month. Believe it or not, this has now tied the record for the driest month ever in Columbia. That’s right, only a trace of moisture while the sunshine danced down on us! With such dry conditions prevalent across the area, South Carolina is now considered at least abnormally dry. This means we really need to be mindful of the weather and water our gardens wisely!

The Week Ahead: What to Expect

Looking ahead, we can expect these warm temperatures to stick around for the start of the weekend. Today, you can enjoy the lovely conditions under partly cloudy skies as the highs return to those lower 80s once again. But hold on to those summer hats because a dry cold front is set to sweep through later on Saturday, which will bring a slight drop in temperatures for Sunday.

So, what can we expect Sunday? Plan for a more refreshing day with highs in the middle 70s as we see partly to mostly cloudy skies. It sounds like a great chance to get outside without feeling too warm. On Monday, expect a continuation of those mid-70s with partly cloudy skies as well, making it just another pleasant day.

Coming Back to the 80s

If you’re missing that warmth already, don’t worry! Temperatures will gradually creep back up into the lower 80s from Tuesday through Thursday. There’s even a slight chance for rain in the forecast on Wednesday and Thursday, but the good news is that the odds for any significant showers are small. So, hold on to your umbrellas just in case, but perhaps we won’t need them after all!

A Look Back: Snow in November

Now, here’s a little flashback for you. Exactly ten years ago, on November 1, 2014, South Carolina experienced its earliest and heaviest snowfall on record! Can you imagine? It was quite the surprise as the state woke up to snowflakes dancing around. The previous record of earliest and heaviest snowfall was on November 4, 1930, when a measly two inches fell at Caesars Head. While that snowfall caused some brief closures on I-20 near Gilbert and a few power outages, it really created a memory for those who experienced it.

So, as you head into the weekend, keep an eye on the warm temperatures and enjoy the dry skies. Whether you’re out trick-or-treating or just taking a stroll in your neighborhood, it looks like we’re in for a lovely start to November!