The Upstate may not have experienced a white Christmas last year, but chances of seeing snow in the new year are high.
Meteorologists are forecasting a wintry mix for the area on Friday and Saturday. If it snows, it will be the first time in over three years.
“This could be the first time we had some snowfall for Greenville in three years, so it really is a big deal if it does happen.” said Doug Outlaw with the National Weather Service at GSP. “And by the looks of it, looking at the American forecast model, (it’s) looking like something’s going to happen.”
Here’s what to know about Friday and Saturday’s winter forecast.
When was the last time Greenville saw snow?
The last time it snowed in Greenville was on Jan. 16, 2022, according to Outlaw.
“I remember that very well because I got stuck here at the weather office for three days.” he said.
This time, Outlaw will be off from work when it snows.
“Whatever happens, I’m going to be watching it from the back door of my house.” he said.
When will snowfall reach the Carolinas?
A low pressure system will form on the Texas Coast on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, moving northeast toward the Carolinas. Precipitation should begin over the western parts by noontime Friday. The cold air in place may take the form of freezing rain, ice, a wintry precipitation, or snow.
“It will probably be mostly snow, but we have a few days to refine the forecast,” Outlaw said. “Most of it’s going to fall Friday night and Saturday morning. As we get closer to that time period, the amount of snow or ice is going to become more definite.”
How much snow is expected to fall?
A range of 2 inches of snowfall is possible for Friday night and early Saturday. This will depend on what type of wintry mix the area receives. If there is more freezing rain and sleet, the depth of snow could be lower. If there is more snow, there could be a chance for more snow, with a possible range between 3-4 inches.
“There’s a lot of factors that are going to play a part in how it all comes together for Friday night.” said Outlaw.
Updated weekly forecast leading to Friday and Saturday, per NWS
∎ Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 46. North wind 6 to 8 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.
∎ Tuesday night: Clear, with a low around 22. Light north wind.
∎ Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 45. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
∎ Wednesday night: Clear, with a low around 21.
∎ Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 42.
∎ Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.
∎ Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41.
∎ Friday night: Snow likely, mainly after 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
∎ Saturday: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
∎ Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.
∎ Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.
A red-tailed hawk perches on a park bench in Van Neste Square Memorial Park during a snowstorm in Ridgewood on Monday, Jan. 6, 2024.
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Upstate SC, Greenville snow forecast