News Summary
On January 22, 2025, Columbia, S.C. experienced a significant snowfall, leading to numerous school closures and delays in the Midlands area. The Lexington-Richland School District 5 announced all schools would be closed, while Midlands Technical College and the University of South Carolina adjusted their schedules. City services in Columbia were also delayed due to icy conditions. Residents are advised to remain cautious on the roads and avoid unnecessary travel as further winter weather impacts are expected.
Winter Weather Causes School Closures and Delays in Columbia, S.C.
Columbia and the Midlands area witnessed a significant drop in temperatures along with some pretty heavy snow on the morning of January 22, 2025. Can you believe it? Up to 1.5 inches of snow blanketed parts of our hometown, while the Grand Strand area near the coast received even more—several inches worth! Talk about a winter wonderland!
As the clock struck 9:18 a.m., temperatures hung around the mid-20s, creating chilly conditions that sent many people rushing to grab their coats and gloves. If you thought the cold snap was just a tease, think again! Frigid temperatures are expected to continue into Thursday morning, reminding us that winter is anything but over.
Due to this little winter storm, the news is bustling with a long list of closures and delays throughout the Midlands. For instance, the Lexington-Richland School District 5 declared all schools and offices closed for Thursday, January 23, with a makeup day set for March 17. This is great news for all the kids who just want to enjoy their snow day without worrying about homework!
As for Midlands Technical College? Their campus will be reopening at noon on Thursday, with classes scheduled to kick off at 12:45 p.m. So, if you’re a student there, don’t forget to check your emails for any updates!
University Schedules Shifted
The University of South Carolina also decided to play it safe. They’re planning to reopen at noon on Thursday as well. All in-person classes that were scheduled before noon have been canceled, but students won’t miss a beat with their online classes, which will go on as planned. Plus, if you’re a fan of sports, you might want to take note that the USC women’s basketball game against LSU has been pushed to Friday at 5 p.m. due to travel difficulties. It certainly seems like weather is disrupting more than just the morning coffee run!
City Services Adjusted
The City of Columbia is also feeling the winter effects, as city facilities will open with a delay at 10 a.m. on Thursday because of hazardous conditions, like black ice. That’s a heads-up for anyone planning to get things done in person! Residents are encouraged to make use of online services or simply pick up the phone until the buildings are officially open.
If you’re living in Richland County, mark your calendars! Their government offices, which were closed on Wednesday, will resume operations at 1 p.m. on Thursday. Meanwhile, Richland Library branches will be reopening at noon for eager bookworms.
Lexington County isn’t left out either. Their administrative offices will operate on a two-hour delay, with different facilities resuming activity at varying times—so it’s best to double-check before you head out.
Road Conditions
But it’s not just schools and libraries that are impacted. The icy road conditions are reported to be rather treacherous, with residents advised to avoid travel whenever possible. It’s a perfect excuse to cozy up with some hot cocoa and enjoy the snowy view from indoors!
In a last-minute shakeup, the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission meeting that was on the calendar for Thursday has been rescheduled to January 31, putting a pause on those discussions.
West Columbia’s Caution
And just in case you were wondering about West Columbia, their City Hall will remain closed on Thursday due to the still dangerous road conditions. Safety first, right?
This snowy day has led many schools to adopt an e-learning day policy, ensuring that students won’t have to worry about making up the lessons later. In fact, there is an increasing number of closures and delays reported across Richland and Lexington counties in response to the hazardous weather. There’s no doubt that Mother Nature is reminding us of her power!
So, Columbia, bundle up, stay warm, and enjoy the beautiful (but cold!) scenery while you can!
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Additional Resources
- The State
- Google Search: Winter Weather Columbia SC
- WLTX
- Wikipedia: Weather
- ABC Columbia
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Winter Weather
- The State – Closures
- Google News: Winter Storm Columbia South Carolina
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.
