According to the latest information from the National Weather Service, Charleston County will experience record low temperatures and 3-4 inches of snowfall this weekend, with up to six inches possible in parts of the county.
Precipitation is expected to begin with rain showers early Saturday morning, transitioning to snowfall as temperatures drop around 10 a.m.
Given the extreme cold being forecast, icy roadway conditions are possible into Monday. Residents are urged to use caution if travel is necessary.
“This is not typical winter weather for our area, and the combination of rain, snow, and extreme cold presents real risks,” said Charleston County Emergency Management Director Justin Pierce. “We’re actively preparing throughout the county, and we ask residents to do the same by planning ahead, avoiding unnecessary travel, and checking on neighbors who may need assistance.”
A Winter Storm Warning and Extreme Cold Watch are currently in effect for Charleston County.
Ongoing Preparations
Charleston County will shift to OPCON 2 at 1 p.m. Saturday in conjunction with a partial activation of the Emergency Operations Center, which will be staffed with emergency personnel managing the county’s response to the winter storm.
The Community Information Line will be staffed from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday to provide updates and answer questions regarding the storm: (843) 746-3900. Staffing for Sunday will be announced tomorrow.
Charleston County Public Works crews will transition into 24-hour salting operations at 12 p.m. Saturday and will work through the weekend assisting SCDOT as needed.
Salt spreaders are in place and ready to be deployed once precipitation begins with a focus on interstates and bridges.
In anticipation of potentially hazardous travel conditions, ambulances and other emergency response resources will be pre-positioned throughout the county to ensure timely responses while weather impacts persist.
County EMS leaders will be working through the event to manage and respond to additional needs as they arise.
The following Charleston County parking garages will be open for residents to park their cars for free from 12 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Monday:
- 90 Cumberland Street
- 85 Queen Street
County Operations
The Bees Ferry Landfill, Materials Recovery Facility, and all county Convenience Centers will close at 11 a.m. Saturday and remain closed Sunday as scheduled. A determination regarding Monday’s operations will be made Sunday.
Due to the threat of severe winter weather, all Charleston County Public Library branches and offices, including book drops/material returns, will be closed Saturday and Sunday. Library officials will continue to monitor the weather and announce additional closures, if needed.
All Charleston County Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed Saturday and Sunday. A determination regarding Monday’s operations will be made Sunday.
Due to anticipated winter weather impacts, Bond Court will hold the following remote hearings this weekend:
- 1 p.m., Saturday, January 31
- 1 p.m., Sunday, February 1
To facilitate timely hearings, law enforcement agencies are asked to scan and submit all required bond documentation to bondcourt@charlestoncounty.org by 10 a.m. on the day of the hearing.
Warming Center Information
Charleston County has provided cots, blankets, towels, and other emergency resources to support privately operated area Warming Centers.
The following centers have announced openings for men, women, and children (no pets):
- Holy City Mission at Aldersgate Methodist (1444 Remount Road, North Charleston)
- Open January 30, 31, and February 1.
- Admission Hours: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Transportation: Board CARTA Route 13 and get off the bus at Remount Road and Allison Avenue Bus Stop and go to Aldersgate Methodist Church from there.
- Contact: site specific questions can be answered at (843) 647-0320.
- Seacoast Church Summerville (301 East, 5th North Street, Summerville)
- Open January 30, 31, and February 1.
- Admission Hours: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Transportation: Board CARTA Route 10 outbound at either Meeting Street/Sheppard Street or Meeting Street/Johnson Street and inform the driver you are going to the warming center. Then, transfer to Tri-County Link at T-Mobile (8751 Rivers Ave). Pick-ups from that stop at 4:10 p.m., 5:16 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
- Contact: Site specific questions can be answered at (843) 486-0193.
- Seacoast North Charleston Dream Center (5505 North Rhett Avenue, North Charleston)
- Open January 30, 31, and February 1.
- Admission Hours: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Transportation: Accessible via CARTA (Stop #416 at N. Rhett/Sumner Ave.)
- Warming Center entrance is located behind Dream Center building, accessible via walkway under awning.
- Hibben United Methodist (690 Coleman Boulevard, Mount Pleasant)
- Open January 31 and February 1.
- Doors to warming center will open at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Sunday opening hours will depend on weather conditions and transportation impacts.
- Transportation: Accessible via CARTA (Stop #744 at Coleman Blvd/Simmons St.)
- Contact: Site specific questions can be answered at (843) 884-9761.
Additional Information and Resources
Residents are encouraged to follow Charleston County Government on social media and sign up for the Citizen’s Alert System and official county newsletter.
For the most accurate and up-to-date weather forecasts, residents should stay tuned to the National Weather Service Charleston websites, as well as local media and SCEMD’s SC Emergency Manager app. For checklists and tips on how to prepare for hazardous conditions, download SCEMD’s official South Carolina Severe Winter Weather Guide.