A rare winter snowstorm struck Charleston and the Lowcountry on January 3, 2018, delivering the third-largest single-day snowfall on record at 5.3 inches at Charleston International Airport. This event disrupted daily life across southeast South Carolina and Georgia, shutting down roads, bridges, schools, stores, and the airport while causing power outages and hundreds of collisions due to the region’s inexperience with heavy snow.​
Snowfall Details
Totals varied from 5.3 inches near Charleston to 7.3 inches around Summerville, marking the snowiest January on record locally. The storm mixed snow, sleet, and freezing rain as cold air shifted, leaving snow on the ground for up to five days—Charleston’s longest streak.​
Community Impact
South Carolina Department of Public Safety handled widespread crashes amid icy conditions unfamiliar to residents. Once realizing closures meant extended time off, locals embraced fun like building snowmen and golf cart sledding, with media outlets like Live 5 News adding an “ice desk.”​
Historical Context
This was the Lowcountry’s first major snowfall since 2010, highlighting vulnerabilities in warmer coastal areas. It aligns with your interest in regional weather events and safety disruptions in South Carolina communities like Charleston and Summerville.
