South Carolina Weather Today: Storm Chances Rise Into Saturday

Columbia, SC – Residents across central South Carolina and the Augusta, Georgia, area can expect mainly dry conditions Thursday before rain chances climb sharply heading into Friday and Saturday.

According to the National Weather Service in Columbia, isolated, spotty showers are possible Thursday afternoon, but widespread rain is not expected. The greatest chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms arrive Friday and continue Saturday into Saturday night.

The agency's precipitation forecast shows rain probabilities increasing substantially across communities including Columbia, Lexington, Aiken, Sumter, Orangeburg, Newberry and surrounding areas. In several locations, probabilities climb to around 60% or higher during portions of Friday before reaching roughly 70% to 80% at times Saturday.

For Columbia, the forecast graphic shows precipitation chances reaching 60% Friday morning and 75% during parts of Saturday. Lexington could see probabilities reach 60% Friday and 75% Saturday, while Manning reaches as high as 80% Saturday.

The wetter forecast could affect outdoor activities and weekend travel, particularly during periods of thunderstorms. Drivers should be prepared for changing road conditions if heavier showers develop.

Rain chances are expected to begin decreasing Sunday and continue tapering into Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Anyone with outdoor plans Friday or Saturday should keep an umbrella nearby and monitor updated forecasts as the timing and location of showers and storms become clearer.