Storm Gianna could bring up to a foot of snow to parts of SC

COLUMBIA — Winter Storm Gianna will bring snow across South Carolina this weekend, with much of the state expected to see at least 4 inches.

The highest snowfall is expected in the Bennettsville area, which might get up to a foot of snowfall. Lancaster could see up to 11 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

The state of emergency declared Jan. 21 ahead of Fern last weekend will remain in effect this weekend, Gov. Henry McMaster said Thursday.

“Unlike last weekend, there’s no threat of deadly ice damage and extended power outages — just slushy snow on roads and bridges that could freeze overnight into Sunday morning,” he wrote on X.

Two deaths were attributed to last weekend’s freezing temperatures: A 96-year-old woman in Greenwood County and an 83-year-old woman in Lexington County. Both died of hypothermia, according to the state health department.

The governor encouraged South Carolinians to take pictures this weekend and make snowmen but don’t drive.

The National Weather Service issued an “extreme cold watch” statewide for Saturday night into Sunday morning, with temperatures dropping to as low as 10 degrees with winds that could make it feel like it’s below 0 degrees.

It issued a winter storm watch Thursday for the entire state this weekend, starting as early as Friday afternoon in the Upstate.

The Grand Strand, Pee Dee, and Midlands north to the Charlotte suburbs could see 5-8 inches of snow. In the Central Savannah River Area along the Georgia border, 2-5 inches are possible. In the Upstate, 4-7 inches are possible over the weekend. Wind gusts could reach 35 mph.

On Sunday, skies are expected to clear but the temperature may barely rise above freezing, so snow could stick.

The state Department of Transportation is ready and has spent the last few days restocking its supplies of salt and brine, Secretary Justin Powell told reporters Thursday.

The department used over 3.5 million gallons of brine, a really salty water, to respond to last weekend’s Winter Storm Fern and has 1,200 pieces of equipment ready to use this weekend, said spokesperson Kelly Moore. Department employees will start treating roads again Friday to keep them as safe as possible.

Since snow is rare in South Carolina, the department fits its fleet of trucks with attachments that allow it to plow snow and spread brine, according to Moore. Snowplow operators go through training in the summers to ensure they remember how to use the equipment.

If snow begins falling, Powell said the department will start plowing interstates first, then major roadways, then smaller, neighborhood streets. He encouraged people to stay off the roads and check local travel advisories.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division shared some advice Thursday on social media on preparing for freezing temperatures: On Saturday night, it’s a good idea to leave a small stream of water dripping from faucets, so they don’t freeze or burst, and insulate exposed pipes. And if you absolutely need to drive, you should check your tires and car battery first for safety.

South Carolina isn’t used to snow, but it has seen a few snowstorms over the past few decades.

The state’s highest two-day snowfall ever recorded was in February 1969, according to the state climatology office, when nearly 29 inches fell in Caesars Head State Park in Greenville County.

In 1973, Rimini in Clarendon County saw 2 feet of snow. In February 2004, Winthrop University recorded snowbanks of just over 17 inches.

Editor’s note: This article was updated Friday, Jan. 30, to reflect a second death caused by Winter Storm Fern.