Winter Storm — Northern Lancaster, South Carolina

2022-01-16 · Northern Lancaster, South Carolina

Event narrative

A total of 2 inches of sleet accumulation was measured at Indian Land Fire Rescue. 1 to 1.5 inches of sleet accumulation was measured at Pleasant Valley FD near Indian Land. Additional reports from the public, via social media, were received that indicated sleet accumulations of 1/2 to 1 inch, along with ice accumulations of 0.05 to 1/8 of an inch, in Indian Land.

Wider weather episode

A cool surface high pressure air mass was centered over Eastern Canada and New England, directing cool low level air down the Eastern Seaboard, and into the Carolinas and Georgia. A strong upper level low, and associated surface low, moved east across our region. This resulted in southerly flow aloft that brought warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico up and over the cold dome of surface high pressure. This led to rain, where it froze and became freezing rain in areas where the surface temperature was at or below freezing. The greatest ice accumulations were over the Northern Midlands of SC, with lesser amounts across the Central Midlands, and little to no ice accretion over the Southern Midlands. This caused widespread downed trees and power lines over the N. Midlands, with scattered reports of trees and power lines down over the central Midlands. Significant measurable sleet also occurred over N. Lancaster Co SC. Structural damage was minimal and no reports of injuries were received. Breezy conditions also occurred with wind gusts around 25 to 35 mph.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 992686. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.