The official numbers for snowfall from Winter Storm Grayson aren't out yet, but it's safe to say most areas of South Carolina got more than forecasters called for. Estimates have certain areas of Clarendon County receiving as much as 6 inches, with southwestern Sumter County receiving upwards of 7 inches.
The snow fell hard and fast on Wednesday, quietly blanketing the midlands in pristine white. According to the Orangeburg Times and Democrat, measurable snowfall happens in South Carolina from one to three times annually. The state overall has received snow in every month from October through May as long as records have been kept.
The Lowcountry is an exception, according to the state Department of Natural Resources State Climate Office.
No, our brothers and sisters in the Lowcountry see snow on average of once every three years, if that.
Because of South Carolina's humid, subtropical climate - though higher areas in the Upstate have fewer subtropical characteristics than those on the coastline - special factors must be in place for most portions of the state to experience snowfall. Most often, that's when a low-pressure system develops off the coast.
The Times and Democrat, through the state Department of Natural Resources State Climate Office provided some numbers for snowfall throughout the years. We credit that work to them and present it here as a curiosity.
Clarendon County was included in one of the statists: The greatest 24-hour snowfall total in the state of South Carolina was 24 inches in Rimini in February 1973. Another great 24-hour snowfall total was 15 inches in the town of Long Cree in Oconee County in January 1988.
At Christmas in 1989, areas from Myrtle Beach to Charleston proved that the mountainous areas of South Carolina are not the exclusive location for large snowfall totals. Those totals ranged from several inches to more than a foot, including 14 inches in Myrtle Beach during the snowfall event from Dec. 23-24.
Since the State Climate Office is located in Columbia, here are a few climate facts for the capital city:
* The earliest recorded snowfall occurred on Nov. 9, 1913.
* The latest recorded snowfall occurred on April 3, 1915.
* The largest 24-hour snowfall of 15.7 inches fell on Feb. 9-10, 1983.
* The largest single event snowfall total was 16 inches on Feb. 9-10, 1983.
* The greatest yearly total snowfall amount was 17.9 inches in 1894.
* The greatest monthly total snowfall occurred in February 1983 with 16 inches.
* The longest duration of temperatures below freezing was 100 hours from Jan. 10-14, 1982.
