“Fake Spring” Ends in the Carolinas and Appalachians as Cold Air Returns Sunday, Dropping Mornings Into the 20s Before a Late-Week Rebound

SOUTH CAROLINA — After a stretch of “fake spring” warmth, a push of colder air is expected to sweep in Sunday and linger into early next week, bringing cooler daytime highs, colder mornings, and a brief reminder that winter is not fully finished yet.

When the Warmth Ends and the Cooldown Begins

The forecast message indicates the warm pattern comes to a hard stop Sunday into early next week as colder air pushes back into the region. That change will be noticeable quickly, especially during the mornings, when temperatures are expected to drop sharply compared to recent days.

This is shaping up as a classic late-winter pattern swing: mild afternoons give way to a cooler, drier air mass that takes the edge off daytime temperatures and reintroduces chilly starts.

What Temperatures Could Feel Like Across South Carolina

Many areas are expected to see highs fall back to around 50 degrees, with morning lows dipping into the 20s and 30s. That means residents may wake up to frostier conditions again, particularly in inland areas and locations that typically cool faster overnight.

Even if afternoons feel “okay,” the colder mornings can still affect early commutes, school drop-offs, and anyone heading out before sunrise.

Colder Impact in the Mountains and Higher Elevations

The guidance also notes that in the mountains, highs may struggle to get out of the 30s for a few days. While that’s outside much of South Carolina, it matters for travelers heading into higher elevations, where colder air tends to hold on longer and road conditions can change faster in the early morning hours.

The Good News: This Looks Short-Lived

The upside is that the cooldown is expected to be brief, with temperatures trending milder again by late next week. In other words, winter may get a quick shot in, but it doesn’t appear to be a long-lasting return to deep cold.

That’s why many forecasters describe this as a “speed bump” rather than a true winter comeback. Are you already feeling that temperature shift in your part of South Carolina—warmer afternoons now, but colder mornings creeping back in? Share what you’re seeing and how you’re preparing at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.