News Summary
Residents of Lexington and Columbia experienced the first significant snowfall of the season, urging caution for upcoming commutes. Snow began accumulating around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, creating winter conditions that could disrupt travel. Local establishments remained open, and although traffic conditions were manageable initially, warnings about slippery roads and the potential for black ice were issued. Adjustments were made in local government and educational institutions, with several schools opting for e-learning. Snowfall is expected to continue, leading to challenging conditions for drivers.
Snow Accumulation Forecast and Winter Weather Advisory Hit Lexington and Columbia
Residents of Lexington and Columbia were greeted by a winter wonderland as snow began accumulating on vehicles and the ground shortly after 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The fluffy white stuff took its time, but it sure made its presence known, especially as the evening wore on. This delightful scene, however, came with a caveat as people braced for what could be a tricky commute in the coming days.
Dining and Driving Amidst Flurries
Despite the enchanting snowfall, local restaurants, fast food joints, and gas stations chose to stay open, ensuring that folks could fuel up on food and gas. Motorists reported creating a charming white mist on the roads even as the snow continued to fall. The good news? There were no accidents reported in the area as traffic flowed relatively normally. Even on Sunset Boulevard, drivers navigated the slippery conditions with relative ease—for now, at least.
County and Educational Institutions Adapt
In light of the snowy forecast, Richland County announced plans to reopen county offices at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. However, officials held firm in their warning regarding the potential for poor road and parking lot conditions. Drivers were cautioned to be extra careful as they might encounter slippery roads that could disrupt their morning commutes. The risk of black ice loomed large throughout the day, causing plenty of residents to exercise caution.
The Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport was not entirely unaffected by the weather. Their terminal and fixed base operator services closed temporarily but were slated to reopen at 9 a.m. Wednesday, contingent on the weather and airfield conditions. Meanwhile, both the University of South Carolina and Midlands Technical College announced a delayed opening for noon on Wednesday due to the ongoing winter weather. Any in-person classes scheduled before noon were canceled, leaving students to breathe a sigh of relief.
Nasty Weather Ahead: A Snowy Forecast
According to the National Weather Service in Columbia, widespread snow was painting the central parts of the state and reaching down to the Savannah River area. Travel conditions were becoming hazardous, with expectant impacts lingering into late Wednesday morning or early afternoon. The forecast indicated potential accumulations of 1-2 inches in western Richland and Lexington Counties, 2-3 inches in the east, and 3-4 inches further along towards Orangeburg and Manning.
Chilly Advisory Urges Caution
A cold weather advisory remained in effect through Wednesday morning, with wind chill values forecasted to dip anywhere between 7-15 degrees. The NWS warned residents about the looming risks of refreezing and black ice extending into Wednesday evening and possibly lasting the rest of the week. Given the continued sub-freezing temperatures, the icy conditions may stick around longer than usual.
City Services and Educational Adjustments
A road closure was briefly announced in Lexington County for Charter House Road and Canterfield Road due to black ice, although it was reopened shortly after. Snow showers had already begun to blanket the Lexington and Columbia area, especially noticeable on elevated surfaces and grassy areas.
The City of Columbia responded to the winter conditions by announcing limited operations throughout Wednesday. They encouraged the community to utilize online city services or make inquiries through calls, as various city facilities like payment centers and community centers were temporarily closed. Many city employees who handle non-essential functions were set to work remotely, but services crucial to public safety would continue as normal.
In light of the weather warning, Columbia’s overflow shelter for the unsheltered opened its doors at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, providing warmth and shelter. Meanwhile, COMET public transportation suspended its operations from 4 p.m. Tuesday, hoping to resume around 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Schooling – Adapting to the Conditions
All school districts in Lexington and Richland counties opted for e-learning on Wednesday, making necessary adjustments in response to the snowy forecast. Initially, schools had planned delayed starts, but once a winter storm warning was updated, it became clear that snow would be much heavier than anticipated.
As snow began to fall around 3-7 p.m. Tuesday—with the heaviest expected from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Wednesday—residents prepared for what the day would bring. With up to 1 inch forecast for the Columbia area and southern Midlands potentially seeing 2-3 inches, it was clear that Mother Nature was gearing up to give the locals quite a cozy winter’s eve. As winter weather advisories rolled in, common sense and patience would be the order of the day for many in the area.
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Additional Resources
- Lex18: City of Lexington Urges Caution on the Road
- Fox56: Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Fayette County
- Weather.com: Current Weather Conditions
- Kentucky.com: Know Your Kentucky
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Winter Weather
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
