Support Us Button Widget

The history of snow in Columbia, SC

snow

Assembly Street in the snow in 1973 | Image via The State Newspaper Photograph Archive via Richland Library

Table of Contents

Raise your hand if you remember Columbia’s great snowfall of 2010. 🙋

ICYMI (or were just a wee little snowflake at the time), here’s what happened: On Feb. 12, 2010, Soda Citizens got caught in a snowstorm, which began that afternoon + lasted into the next morning, bringing in 8.6 inches of fresh powder in total.

Us, Southerners, trying to act like a little snow doesn’t bother us. | GIF via Giphy

While the day did bring its fair share of grief, like thousands of power outages + a few car accidents, it’s certain that residents also celebrated the snowfall with plenty of snowball fights, hot chocolate making and snowman building.

Here are some more snowtable fast facts about Columbia’s relationship with snow days:

❄️ Other heavy snowfalls Cola experienced:

  • 16 in. of snow, Feb. 1973
  • 11.7 in. of snow, Feb. 1914
  • 8.8 in. of snow, Dec. 1958

❄️ The snowiest calendar days for Cola:

  • Jan. 23
  • Feb. 10
  • Jan. 24

❄️ The earliest snowfall Cola experienced:

  • 4.3 in. of snow, November 1, 2014

❄️ The most recent snowfall Cola experienced:

  • A light dusting of snow, Jan. 17, 2018

And before you start Instacarting the milk, and the bread, and the eggs this year, know that this season’s weather doesn’t call for snow – and meteorologists are predicting the weather to be a little warmer than average – meaning it will be a little more chill throughout the end of winter.

Poll

More from COLAtoday
Nominate your neighborhoods, share your holiday light-seeing traditions, or even brag about your own house if you decorate at level 10. We’re looking for reader recommendations on where the best holiday light displays are in the Midlands.
Discover Columbia’s late-night dining spots, from Tex-Mex and pizza to pub fare and desserts, perfect for post-11 p.m. cravings.
Want to get involved locally but don’t know how? Browse through the City of Columbia’s city boards and commissions that have vacancies and apply.
We’re giving you the 411 on the Cola’s landmarks — from the Gervais Street Bridge to Adluh Flour. Learn about their history, fun facts, and just why Soda Citizens and visitors alike find them so iconic.
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up 10 farmers markets around Columbia, SC.
With a history dating back thousands of years, museums in the Midlands showcase the history of the area, from the earliest settlers to the the trains that transformed cities and towns.
Just because you’re further on in life doesn’t mean you can’t have fun to recognize another trip around the sun.
Columbia, SC has 230+ years of history. In this guide, we’re diving into the city’s oldest streets and how they got their names.
A guide to the best karaoke spots in Columbia, featuring venues for singing, fun themes, and private rooms.
College football is back — here’s how to stream the games, tailgate like a pro, and cheer on the Gamecocks this 2024 season.