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Wintry Weather In The Upstate Friday

Update as of 2:30 PM Friday: 
Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect across Greenville, Spartanburg, Cherokee, and northern Oconee and Pickens counties through midnight tonight. On and off periods of rain/snow mix will continue in these areas this evening, likely turning to all snow tonight. Accumulations from this additional precipitation will be limited, but it will create difficult driving conditions in the Upstate. In addition, wet pavement in the Midlands may freeze in places tonight, causing slick spots. 

Update as of 5:55 AM Friday:

The Winter Weather Advisories have been expanded to include all of Greenville and Spartanburg counties, as well as Cherokee county. Less than 1 inch of sleet or snow accumulation is forecast along the I-85 corridor, mainly on grassy surfaces. An additional 3 inches of snow is anticipated on top of what has already fallen in the mountains. 

 

As temperatures fall tonight, wet roads, bridges, and overpasses may freeze in places, causing slick spots.

 

Update as of 3:15 PM Thursday:

The National Weather Service has posted Winter Weather Advisories for the mountains of Oconee, Pickens, and Greenville counties from 7 PM Thursday until Midnight Friday night. They said up to 2 inches of snow was forecast, but that a few locations in the highest terrain near the North Carolina and Georgia borders could see up to 6 inches. Travel conditions could become difficult during the Friday morning in the mountains.

 

Winter Weather Advisory
Credit National Weather Service

Original article from 10:00 AM Thursday:

A few hours of snow or sleet may greet some Upstate residents on Friday as part of a storm system moving through the Deep South and Appalachians. 

Rain is forecast to start after dusk Thursday over much of the Palmetto State and continue through Friday. Enough cold air seeping southward from the Appalachians and from higher in the atmosphere should cause a changeover to snow and sleet prior to dawn on Friday morning. Periods of rain, sleet, and snow are likely over the Upstate through Friday afternoon. Rain is forecast over the rest of the state, ending by around midnight Friday night as the storm moves into the Atlantic Ocean.

The greatest chance of snow and sleet is in the Escarpment closer to the North Carolina and Georgia state lines where 2 or 3 inches of snow and sleet are forecast. More than 6 inches of snow is forecast in the higher terrain of North Carolina where Winter Storm Warnings are posted. Rain may mix with and change to snow and sleet near the Interstate 85 corridor, including Clemson, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Rock Hill. Little or no accumulation is currently forecast, but even a small drop in temperature or change in storm track could bring a light accumulation into these areas on Friday. Residents and travelers should consider the possibility of slippery roads, mainly north of Interstate 85, but there is a small chance hazardous travel could extend into the GSP and Rock Hill areas.

A quiet weekend is in store for the state, but another weather system is forecast to arrive some time Monday or Monday night. Most computer model forecasts indicate that precipitation will fall in the form of rain statewide, but there are a few showing a wintry mix northwest of Interstate 85, near the Escarpment. Changes are likely to the forecast and those planning to travel in the Upstate are encouraged to check on the forecast later in the weekend.