2018 Snow Storm in the Lowcountry

Vintage duck decoy and cap in the snow

John Deere tractor and barns covered in snow!

No matter where you are, the weather can change up in a hurry. The Lowcountry of South Carolina was experiencing another ho hum mild winter throughout November and December 2017, with little rainfall. Then came along the coastal low on January 3 that brought in the New Year with effects similar to a winter hurricane. Deep cold temps were in place for 36-hours before chances of precipitation developed, giving the Lowcountry the rare combination of having the ground frozen before any snow. Snow in the Lowcountry usually does not accumulate due to ground temps, but this 2018 snow storm was different, delivering 3 to 5-inches of snow along the Lowcountry coast.

What we experienced was the beginning of a bombogenesis system that went on to create blizzard conditions in the Northeast. While much lower than normal temps stayed in place over the Lowcountry for the next five days, the snow and ice remained on roads until they were plowed or treated with salt. Shady areas and shallow bodies of water remained until mild temps in the 60's returned to the Lowcountry on Monday, January 8. All in all it was quite the milestone experience from I-95 to the coast, with no effects felt in the Midlands or Upstate. Many compared this snow to the 1989 snow after Hurricane Hugo, but the 2018 weather event was of much longer duration.

To view past blog entries about snow in the Lowcountry click on 2010 - 2009

White out conditions in the Lowcountry

Three inches in Walterboro, South Carolina