Here it comes! The storm we’ve been talking about all week will spread a cold, heavy rain across the Lowcountry beginning late tonight through much of the day on Saturday.  I still think most of us will see 1-3” of rain by the time everything is said and done.  The interesting part of this storm could occur tomorrow night as the cold air continue to invade the region.  By Saturday afternoon, temperatures will be tumbling through the 30s away from the coast.  The latest guidance suggests widespread drizzle could develop tomorrow evening and last through the night.  If temperatures fall to or below freezing, we could have some issues with icing tomorrow night.  Freezing rain/drizzle is deceiving because you see liquid falling from the sky, but as it strikes a surface below freezing it turns to ice.  At this point, I’m not terribly concerned, but with the strength of this storm and the coming cold air mass, we will have to monitor the trends very carefully.

To our north and west, a MAJOR WINTER STORM will occur across the upstate of SC and much of NC/VA.  Snow totals between the NC/SC border and I-40 could reach 5-10” with 10-15” possible from I-40 north into VA.  Across the I-85 corridor, a significant amount of snow is expected, around 2-5”, with damaging accumulations of ice.  If you have weekend plans to travel north, you may want to reconsider.  This is the type of storm that can paralyze the region if everything comes together just right.  A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for much of the region which means there is a serious risk to life and property if exposed to the elements.

After the storm passes, expect a cold and windy day on Sunday with most of us only reaching the middle 40s for afternoon highs.  Lows will be in the 20s Sunday night with a widespread hard freeze all the way to the coastal communities.  High temperatures will only rebound to the middle and upper 50s by the middle of next week, which is at or below the seasonal averages.  A weaker storm will arrive on Tuesday, followed by the potential of another significant storm Thursday-Friday.

Old Man Winter may have a lot up his sleeve over the next few weeks as there are several indicators in the atmosphere right now signaling a very active storm track with a lot of cold air on the table for February, especially the middle and end of the month.