Hard freeze likely tonight, Freeze Warning issued

By Josh Marthers
Meteorologist
Published: November 18, 2008

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for Berkeley, Beaufort, Colleton, Charleston, Dorchester, and Georgetown counties.  This warning is in effect from ten o’clock Tuesday night through ten o’clock Wednesday morning.  Freezing temperatures are expected in other Lowcountry counties, but warnings are not being initiated due to a previous occurrence of a killing freeze.

Low temperatures on Wednesday morning are expected to fall into the lower and middle twenties west of Highway 17 producing a hard freeze for most of the Lowcountry.  It is not out of the question for some areas near I-95 to bottom out in the upper teens. 

Offshore winds will allow freezing temperatures to make a run for the coast.  The latest guidance and temperature trends suggest a rare freeze is likely all the way to the beaches in South Carolina.  Upper twenties could be observed along and east of Highway 17 with readings around thirty two degrees on the sea islands and beaches not out of the question.

A Freeze Warning is issued when freezing temperatures are expected and damage to sensitive plants is likely to occur.  If a freeze does indeed occur, freeze watches or warnings would not be reissued for the rest of the season.