Heavy Snow — Southern Lancaster, South Carolina

2026-01-31 · Southern Lancaster, South Carolina

Event narrative

Multiple measurements across southern Lancaster county of between 3 and 6 inches of storm total snowfall. Highest measured amount in southern Lancaster was 6 inches northeast of the city of Lancaster.

Wider weather episode

A unique snow setup for South Carolina developed as a strong coastal low strengthening offshore, while a upper level disturbance shifted over our area. This provided sufficient synoptic and mesoscale lift for widespread heavy snow across SC along with unusually high snow to liquid ratios between 15-20 to 1. A brief period of sleet-graupel occurred at the onset of the event following by 12 hours of light-moderate snow across the area, with highest amounts in the Pee Dee region of SC.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1310868. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.