Are record-freezing temps headed to Columbia SC Christmas weekend? Here’s what the NWS says

Patrick McCreless

It looks like Jack Frost will be riding shotgun with Santa over the Columbia area this Christmas.

Temperatures are expected to approach record lows across the Columbia area over the Christmas weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

“It is pretty unusual to see temperatures that low for this time of year,” said Nicole Rebarick, meteorologist for NWS West Columbia.

The NWS forecast calls for lows in the teens and up to 20 degrees on Saturday, followed by a low of around 21 degrees on Christmas Day. Also, highs won’t get out of the 30s on both days.

“They’re quite a few degrees below normal,” Rebarick said. “The normal lows are 36.9 degrees.”

But will those Christmas temperatures drop to record levels? Not quite, Rebarick said.

The Columbia area set a record low of 12 degrees on Christmas Eve and a record low of 7 degrees on Christmas Day, both in 1983, she said.

The cold front headed for South Carolina is tied to a powerful winter storm expected to develop over large parts of the U.S., bringing with it snow and rain that could disrupt many holiday travel plans this weekend, the NWS says. And while Columbia and the rest of the state can currently expect just the frigid temperatures — not the snow — extremely cold weather carries its own set of problems.

Rebarick said residents should prepare their homes now to avoid issues like freezing and bursting pipes.

Here are tips to prepare for below freezing temperatures, according to the S.C. Emergency Management Division.

  • Be aware of possible carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire if you are using alternative sources for heating.

  • Freezing temperatures can burst water pipes. Wrap exposed pipes or take other measures to insulate them. Let water drip from your faucets overnight.

  • Prepare a place indoors for pets.

  • Check on elderly and at-risk neighbors and relatives in case of power outages.

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