Will it snow? Winter weather system brings frigid cold, more flurries to York County
The York County area is preparing for a winter storm that could bring a mix of rain, freezing rain and snow beginning in the early morning hours Friday.
The area got a taste of wintry weather Wednesday, with a mix of rain and light snow.
Scott Krentz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Greer, said a bigger winter weather system is headed this way Friday, with “a shot of snow” likely again in the York County area in the early morning hours Friday and again Friday night.
“You’re going to get some rain moving in late Thursday night into Friday, and it’s going to switch over to snow Friday night,” Krentz said.
The weather service has issued a winter storm watch for the Rock Hill area beginning late Thursday night and extending through Saturday night.
Hazardous conditions include a mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow, with accumulations of 1 to 3 inches, along with ice, according to the weather service.
Motorists are advised of treacherous travel conditions throughout the period.
York County school officials said they would be monitoring the weather and would announce any changes in school schedules via phone message systems and social media.
Rock Hill schools spokesman Mychal Frost said the greatest weather risk was expected Friday night and early Saturday. However, he said leaders would meet again Thursday to assess conditions.
Perry Crocker, assistant manager with the S.C. Department of Transportation district office in Chester, said some preliminary de-icing had been done on roads Wednesday.
“Based on the forecast, we may be doing more later on,” Crocker said.
Crocker agreed that the greatest risk of poor driving conditions is overnight Friday. “We will be monitoring the situation and have all our stuff prepared.”
After high temperatures Wednesday reached only into the upper 30s, Thursday is expected to improve to a high of 45 under mostly cloudy skies.
Looking ahead, a mix of rain, snow and sleet is forecast for early Saturday, with the chance of precipitation diminishing from 70 percent in the early morning to 30 percent during the day.
Saturday night should be mostly cloudy, with the sun returning Sunday. Expected highs will jump from 40 Saturday to 47 Sunday, near 50 Monday and 54 Tuesday.
The Charlotte Observer contributed to this report.
This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 7:21 PM with the headline "Will it snow? Winter weather system brings frigid cold, more flurries to York County."