Coldest Night of the Season Expected Across Western North Carolina and the Upstate as Temperatures Drop Into Single Digits
NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTH CAROLINA — A sharp surge of cold air is expected to bring the coldest night of the season so far to parts of Western North Carolina and the South Carolina Upstate late Thursday night into early Friday morning, with temperatures falling well below freezing in many areas.
Forecast data indicates that rural and higher-elevation locations will experience the most severe cold, especially outside city centers where heat retention is limited.
Temperatures Expected to Plunge Thursday Night
According to the forecast graphic, Asheville (AVL) is expected to drop to around 8 degrees, while Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) is forecast to bottom out near 18 degrees overnight.
Coldest conditions are expected late Thursday night through early Friday morning, when clear skies and calm winds allow temperatures to fall rapidly.
Mountain Areas and Rural Locations Face the Harshest Cold
Forecasters warn that temperatures could be even colder outside urban areas, where there is less infrastructure and ground heat to slow overnight cooling. Single-digit lows are possible in mountain valleys, with teens more common across the Upstate.
This setup is typical during strong winter radiational cooling events, when cold air settles quickly after sunset.
Why This Night Could Be the Coldest So Far This Season
This cold snap stands out because it combines dry air, clearing skies, and a reinforcing shot of cold, allowing temperatures to fall lower than previous nights this winter.
For many communities, this will likely mark the lowest temperatures experienced so far this season, raising concerns for exposed pipes, pets, livestock, and sensitive plants.
What Residents Should Prepare For
With temperatures this low, residents are encouraged to take precautions, including:
- Protecting outdoor pipes
- Bringing pets indoors
- Checking heating systems
- Allowing faucets to drip if necessary
Travelers should also be cautious early Friday morning, as patchy frost or icy surfaces could develop in colder locations.
Cold Conditions Will Not Last Forever, But Vigilance Is Needed
While this is not expected to be a prolonged Arctic outbreak, the intensity of Thursday night’s cold makes it notable, especially for areas unaccustomed to single-digit temperatures.
Forecasters say they will continue monitoring overnight trends and will provide updates if temperatures are expected to fall even lower than currently forecast. Stay with SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com for continued local weather coverage and updates as this cold night approaches.
