The Carolinas have experienced unprecedented low temperatures as a result of a major cold front blanketing the whole east coast, already causing snow in nearly every inland part of the east coast. 

The Lowcountry has previously been exempt from the snow, but with a new wave of below-freezing temperatures overlapping with forecasted precipitation, the Lowcountry can expect snowfall Tuesday, January 21 and potentially Wednesday, January 22. 

Specifically, a Winter Storm Watch is in place for Charleston County between Tuesday afternoon and noon on Wednesday, with a cold weather advisory in place until 6 a.m. on Wednesday. 

Charleston’s Emergency Operations Center is mainly focused on the threat posed by icy roads as a result of the frozen precipitation and melted snow, warning that some road closures should be expected by Charlestonians on Wednesday. Snow predictions have ranged from three to six inches of snow depending on the source and time.

The EOC is also opening the county shelter on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. to help ‘the most vulnerable populations we have’ especially in the context of the extremely low temperatures forecasted over the next few days.

Charleston County is closing all government facilities, including Charleston County public library branches and schools. Additionally, the South Carolina Aquarium is closing at 3 p.m. on Jan. 21 and will remain closed until Jan. 22.

Charleston County School District students will be treated to a very rare snow day, with CCSD changing to an early release schedule Tuesday & closing schools Wednesday, with a potential for closures on Thursday from iced roads.