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Widespread Freeze Expected Early Wednesday

Freeze Warning for the Lowcountry and Grand Strand

Arctic air is moving into the Palmetto state, and it may be record-breaking in a few locations. A freeze is likely across nearly the entire state Tuesday Night, and wind chills could dip into the teens across the Upstate.

The National Weather Service has issued Freeze Warnings for much of the Grand Strand and Lowcountry. Nearly all areas in the Pee Dee, Midlands, and Upstate have already experience at least one freeze, effectively ending the growing season. As a result, Freeze Watches and Warnings will  not be issued in those areas even though freezing temperatures are expected there, too.

The front that will be responsible for the cold air is bringing rain to much of the Palmetto State Tuesday. The National Weather Service is forecasting low temperatures to dip into the lower and mid 20s for the Upstate, Midlands, and Pee Dee Regions early Wednesday morning. The thermometer may bottom in the lower 30s along the Grand Strand and Lowcountry coastlines, with only the Hilton Head area perhaps narrowly avoiding a freeze.

Credit Forecast Lows Wednesday Morning

The chilly air may be cold enough to get close to record levels. The record low in Charleston on Wednesday morning is 29 degrees in 1941. Wednesday’s afternoon highs may be so cool that several records may be tied or broken. If the National Weather Service forecast high of 46 in North Myrtle Beach is correct, it would break the record of 48 degrees in 2013. Similarly, if Charleston’s forecast high of 49 degrees verifies on Wednesday, it would break the record of 51 degrees for that date.

On top of the much below normal temperatures and records, the brisk north wind is forecast to bring wind chill temperatures down into the teens for most of the Upstate, Midlands, and Pee Dee. Lower 20s wind chills are anticipated for the Grand Strand and Lowcountry.

Another round of sub-freezing temperatures are anticipated late Wednesday night into Thursday morning; however, coastal areas of the Grand Strand and Lowcountry are forecast to avoid a second night of freezing temperatures.