Myrtle Beach area may dodge some extreme winter weather but ‘not out of the woods’
Extreme cold, precipitation and possible power outages are on their way to South Carolina, but new forecasts indicate the Grand Strand might not see the worst of it.
Light rain on Friday is expected to transition into a wintry mix on Saturday, but that transition may take place further inland, according to a Thursday briefing by the National Weather Service. In coastal areas like Myrtle Beach, precipitation could be limited to cold rain.
However, NWS meteorologist Ian Boatman said the Myrtle Beach area is “not out of the woods yet.” While trends have been indicating that the area will experience rain over freezing rain, weather forecasts for events like this one can be “fickle,” Boatman explained. Already, he said the forecasts are looking very different than they did 24 to 48 hours ago.
Similar to past forecasts, the most extreme weather is expected over Saturday and Sunday, with dangerously low temperatures sweeping the region early next week, meaning ice accumulation will linger. Single-digit wind chills are possible Monday and Tuesday nights, according to the weather service.
Further inland, freezing rain will be the primary precipitation type, the weather service predicts, with some sleet as well. But near the coast, if the low pressure system develops further west, the result could mean cold rain as opposed to frozen precipitation in areas like Myrtle Beach.
The greatest chance for any wintry mix or freezing rain in the Myrtle Beach area will be Saturday night into Sunday, Boatman said.
A winter storm watch is also in effect for inland counties such as Marlboro and Robeson counties. Horry County is not currently under a winter storm watch. Boatman said NWS may extend the storm watch further south if necessary, but so far, they have seen no reason to do so.
Less frozen precipitation could mean less extreme impacts from this winter storm in the Myrtle Beach area. Freezing rain tends to build up on elevated surfaces such as tree branches and power lines, The Sun News previously reported, which can lead to power outages.
Regardless of the precipitation the area experiences, dangerously cold temperatures are still expected. Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas remain at an elevated risk for extreme cold on Monday and Monday night. The National Weather Service encourages anyone venturing into the storm to drive slowly, keep emergency supplies in their vehicle and dress warm.
