Pressure Washing in Charleston, SC

The likelihood the Lowcountry will see snow and freezing rain this week continues to increase, with the greatest impacts expected to be felt Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning.

Charleston could see between 2 to 4 inches of snow and up to .15 inches of ice, according to the National Weather Service's Jan. 18 evening briefing. But it is still unclear if freezing rain or snow will prevail in South Carolina's coastal counties. The risk for snow is highest farther inland, the National Weather Service said.

Arctic high pressure is expected to build into the region Jan. 20, setting the stage for "very cold weather" to hit the Lowcountry, according to the National Weather Service's Jan. 18 morning briefing. Temperatures are expected to drop into the upper teens to mid-20s Jan. 21 into Jan. 22.

"This level of cold is very unusual for the area," a spokesperson from the National Weather Service told The Post and Courier. "Check with your neighbors, especially elderly ones, to see if they need anything. Also don't forget pets. They are impacted by the cold as well."

An area of low pressure will pass by mid-week, spreading "light to moderate" precipitation into the region. Experts are predicting there is a 50 to 70 percent chance enough snow will fall to produce travel issues, according to the National Weather Service. Some travel problems could continue Jan. 22 into Jan. 23 as wet roads could refreeze.

The most recent time such winter weather coated the Holy City in white was almost seven years ago, The Post and Courier previously reported.

Charleston kicked off 2018 with the first snow the city had seen since 2010. It started with over three hours of freezing rain that Jan. 3 that year before snow mixed in.

With just a little over five inches of snow, City Council declared a state of emergency, Charleston International Airport shut down and schools closed. Some roads were closed and cars slid along the streets. The Post and Courier reported there were no fatalities.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation announced on Jan. 17 that it is preparing for potential weather statewide.

Crews will begin spraying salt brine and salting interstate and primary routes before moving onto salting secondary roads, according to a statement. Crews will monitor roadways and de-ice them.

Each of South Carolina's counties have a three-day storage of salt on-site, and teams teams typically pull from one of two 10,000 ton salt storage domes in either Spartanburg or Columbia to spread across roadways, according to a spokesperson.

In the event that snow or ice sticks, DOT has a fleet of snowplows to be deployed, each with a driver who is required to renew their training yearly, according to DOT.

The Charleston International Airport also said it has a weather plan in place to keep the state's busiest airport operational.

Officials shared at the Jan. 16 Charleston County Aviation Authority meeting that they have a contractor on retainer that can deliver equipment to plow, salt and de-ice the grounds at CHS, including the tarmac. In the event of ice or snow, a group of employees would stay overnight to ensure smooth operations.

As local municipalities prepare for the winter weather, they have all urged residents to stay off the roads.

The Charleston (SC) Cougars (14-4, 4-1 CAA) are at home in CAA action against the Northeastern Huskies (10-8, 2-3 CAA) on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET. The Cougars are favored by 6.5 points in the game. The matchup has a point total of 151.5.

Charleston (SC) vs. Northeastern Odds

Charleston (SC) vs. Northeastern Promo Codes

Game Time and Information

Who Will Win Charleston (SC) vs. Northeastern?

Charleston (SC) has a 4-1 record against the spread when favored by 6.5 points or more this season.

Northeastern has a 1-2 record against the spread when an underdog by 6.5 points or more this year.

The two teams average a combined 3.8 fewer points per game (147.7) than this game’s over/under of 151.5 points.

Charleston (SC) and Northeastern have seen their opponents average a combined 8.1 fewer points per game than the point total of 151.5 set in this outing.

The average total Charleston (SC) has had in its matchups this year is 0.3 more points than this particular game’s point total.

The average total for Huskies games this year is 12.2 fewer points than the point total of 151.5 for this outing.

The Cougars have a 12-5-0 record against the spread this season.

The Huskies are 7-11-0 against the spread this season.

Charleston (SC)’s +74 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 4.1 points per game) is a result of scoring 77.9 points per game (107th in college basketball) while giving up 73.8 per outing (248th in college basketball).

Charleston (SC) is 113th in college basketball at 33.9 rebounds per game. That’s similar to the 34.2 its opponents average.

The Cougars make 8.2 three-pointers per game (137th in college basketball) at a 34.7% rate (135th in college basketball), compared to the 7.7 their opponents make while shooting 30.3% from beyond the arc.

Charleston (SC) ranks 175th in college basketball by averaging 96.2 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively is 167th in college basketball, allowing 91.1 points per 100 possessions.

At home, the Cougars are scoring 15.1 more points per game (84.1) than they are in road games (69).

Northeastern scores 69.8 points per game (294th in college basketball) and gives up 69.6 (120th in college basketball) for a +4 scoring differential overall.

Northeastern is 204th in the nation at 32.3 rebounds per game. That’s 2.5 more than the 29.8 its opponents average.

Northeastern connects on 6.4 three-pointers per game (312th in college basketball), while its opponents have made 7.1 on average.

Northeastern ranks 287th in college basketball averaging 90.9 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively is 155th, allowing 90.6 points per 100 possessions.

In 2024-25 the Huskies are scoring 2.4 more points per game at home (71.8) than away (69.4).

Ante Brzovic leads the Cougars in scoring and rebounding, accumulating 18.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

Charleston (SC)’s best passer is CJ Fulton, who averages 6.1 assists per game to go with a PPG scoring average of 7.9.

Deywilk Tavarez makes more threes per game than any other member of the Cougars, knocking down shots from beyond the arc at a clip of 2.3 per contest.

Fulton is Charleston (SC)’s leader in steals, averaging 1.6 steals per game, while Brzovic leads them in blocks with 1.1 per contest.

Rashad King’s points (17.3 per game) and assists (3.2 per game) stat lines are the top scoring and assists spots on the Huskies’ leaderboards.

Harold Woods grabs 7.8 rebounds per game (also scoring 11.4 points per game and adds 2.4 assists per game) which secures the top of the Northeastern rebounding leaderboard.

King is dependable from three-point range and leads the Huskies with 1.6 made threes per game.

Northeastern’s leader in steals is King with 1.4 per game, and its leader in blocks is Collin Metcalf with 2.2 per game.

Charleston (SC) vs. Northeastern Prediction

How to Bet on Charleston (SC) vs. Northeastern

And for more CBB game previews, NCAA basketball picks or even how to bet on college basketball check out the latest NCAAB lines on Betsperts.

While the likelihood of the Lowcountry seeing snow next week seems to be increasing — though it's still too early for forecasters to say for sure — local counties and agencies say they are more prepared than they were in 2018, the last time the region experienced a crippling ice and snow event.

That storm dumped a wintry mix of more than 5 inches of snow and ice on the region Jan. 3, 2018, in the third-largest snowfall recorded in the Charleston area. Snow fell at a rate close to an inch every hour in some places, with temperatures staying below freezing for several days afterward.

If another storm hits the area, here's how local agencies are prepared to deal with winter weather:

Charleston airport

Charleston International Airport said it has a weather plan in place to keep the state's busiest airport operational. It stemmed out of lessons learned from the January 2018 storm that froze travel for nearly four days at the airport.

The slow response to cleaning off the runways, which are owned by Charleston Air Force Base, forced stranded passengers in Charleston and elsewhere to book alternate flights through nearby airports, rent cars to get to their destinations or cancel travel plans altogether, according to past reporting by The Post and Courier.

But not next time around, according to the airport.

Officials shared at the Jan. 16 Charleston County Aviation Authority meeting that they have a contractor on retainer that can deliver equipment to plow, salt and de-ice the grounds at CHS, including the tarmac. In the event of ice or snow, a group of employees would stay overnight to ensure smooth operations.

CEO Elliott Summey said the authority has agreed to take on the responsibility of clearing the tarmac areas. Staffers have also made plans with the S.C. Department of Transportation to ensure nearby Interstate 526 remains clear to ensure safer airport access.

"The airport never closes, even if airlines cancel or delay flights," Summey told the board. "We are a vital piece of infrastructure for the state and are treating it as such."

DOT's statewide effort

The S.C. Department of Transportation is typically prepared for weather impacts weeks in advance, media relations manager Hannah Robinson told The Post and Courier.

"We start preparing as soon as we know that (inclement weather) could possibly affect any area of South Carolina," Robinson said.

This preparation rallies approximately 4,000 DOT employees statewide, she said, from the Upstate to the lowest reaches of the Lowcountry.

They use a "tiered system" of roadway preparation for ice prevention, typically starting with interstates, then moving to main thoroughfares, Robinson said. DOT agents within each municipality across the state know their areas well and can determine which secondary roads and even some neighborhood roads might need attention.

Teams typically pull from one of two massive, 10,000 ton salt storage domes in either Spartanburg or Columbia to spread across roadways, Robinson said. Additionally, each of the Palmetto State's 46 counties have a three-day storage of salt on-site in their respective municipalities' DOT maintenance centers.

Crews use their area knowledge to determine if salt brine or salt granules will be more effective in certain areas. Salt brine is primarily used on interstates; it is deployed in a blanket spray that aids in preventing ice from sticking, Robinson said. Salt granules are typically used in low-lying or flood-prone areas where water can pool and freeze, she said.

In the event that snow or ice sticks, DOT has a fleet of snowplows to be deployed, each with a driver who is required to renew their training yearly, Robinson said.

Ultimately, DOT advises that if drivers can avoid traveling during dangerous weather conditions, they ought to do so. Robinson pointed to its storm resource page at scdot.org/travel/stormResources as a primary source for concerned residents to monitor the situation and potential road closures.

Folks with roadway concerns or wishing to report hazardous conditions can call 855-467-2368, which operates from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Local efforts to fight the freeze

Local municipalities and counties have even invested in more equipment to prepare for winter weather, as rare as it is.

The town of Mount Pleasant, for example, now has two snowplows and the capability to spread sand on roadways. The town has 100-120 tons of sand ready to be deployed when needed, according to town spokesperson Eric LaFontaine. He said first responders are prepared to upstaff as needed to ensure a "swift response" to accidents."

Since 2018, Dorchester County has created a new emergency operations center that brings all the local agency partners and municipalities together to create a unified response to everything from a snowstorm to a large disaster, according to the county. It ensures real-time communication and coordination with DOT and the county's Public Works department about routes that may need priority, such as those leading to medical facilities. Berkeley County takes similar precautions, working with SCDOT to apply salt to county-maintained bridges and around certain county facilities, like EMS medic stations, ahead of the storm.

City of Charleston officials say its Emergency Operations Center is set to activate if needed, and city leaders are in regular contact with local, regional and national partners, including the National Weather Service.

"We prepare for winter weather events much like we would for a hurricane, even though the challenges presented are different," city spokesperson Deja Knight McMillan said.

One message from the municipalities is clear: They urge residents to stay off the roads to reduce strain on resources.

The city of Summerville said it was monitoring the upcoming storm, but did not comment further. The city of North Charleston and Charleston county did not respond by deadline.

Reach Megan Fernandes at mfernandes@postandcourier.com.

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - Charleston County Council’s newly-elected chairman laid out the details of what he calls his five-point plan for the future of the county.

Council Chair Kylon Middleton, along with new Vice Chair Larry Kobrovsky and Council members Henry Darby and Teddie Pryor spoke with reporters at council chambers Tuesday night.

Middleton says one of their priorities is initiating a countywide audit to ensure each department within county government is performing at its best and every tax dollar is spent responsibly.

He also wants to focus on issues that matter most to residents, saying some have been delayed for too long.

“We will prioritize road projects, not these in any particular order, but road projects like Highway 41 and to improve key intersections,” Middleton said. “Additionally, we will complete the Lowcountry Bus Rapid Transit. That has already been something that Council has been working on. To enhance our public transit options along with some other options of transit options like rail and other things that have been contemplated.”

He also highlighted continuing affordable housing projects, something he calls a growing challenge; and restoring integrity and trust within the county government.

“Ensure transparency in all county business. Transparency is foundational to restoring trust in our government and it will be a guiding principle under my leadership,” Middleton said. “We will prioritize conducting the people’s business in public. That could be seen in our committee meeting on Thursday. We did not leave to go into executive session, we stayed here and we conducted the people’s business in public.”

He said executive sessions at county meetings will be rare and only done when necessary.

Middleton also said public safety is a top priority and that they would make sure that law enforcement has the support that they need.

“This means more funding for officers, better equipment, enhancing the training for the sheriff’s and solicitor’s offices, but public safety is not just about resources, it’s also about building trust and strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the community,” Middleton said. “We will hold regular community meetings where community citizens can share their concerns and ideas and we’ll work together to find solutions that keep our neighborhoods safe.”

Middleton’s final key point is to highlight the work that the county has already accomplished and to continue its efforts to build on those achievements.

“This is a marathon and not a sprint, and so we can’t burn out and give out gas early, but we must continue to be dogged in this pursuit so that we can bring all of the council together, but through hard work, collaboration, and a renewed focus on the things that matter the most to the people of Charleston County we will succeed,” Middleton said.

Kobrovsky said the bipartisan outcome of the transportation sales tax referendum will help them build towards a better future.

“When we saw the results of the recent referendum, there was a bipartisan coalition for fiscal conservatism, but also conservation and what we love about living here and I think that by almost two-thirds, that gives us the potential to build on and I expect us to do that,” Kobrovsky said.

Middleton and Kobrovsky replaced former Chairman Herbert Sass and Vice Chairwoman Jenny Costa Honeycutt.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The Charleston County School Board discussed raising teacher salaries on Monday night as they met for the first time in the new year.

Last year, the district passed an $8,000 raise for the 2024-25 school year, making Charleston County one of the highest-paying school districts in the state with a starting salary for teachers of around $56,000.

“I’ve been teaching for 32 years in the district, and never have we seen increases like this, dedication like this- from the board, from the superintendent, so we would just like to continue to see it keep pace with housing in the area, with cost of living in the area,” said Jody Stallings, with the Charleston Teacher Alliance.

Now teachers with 0 to 5 years of experience will see their salary increase to $64,782 and teachers with over five years of experience will see around a $4,000 salary increase.

“We know when our teachers are focused on teaching and learning and not how they’ll pay their bills or about how they’ll prepare dinner, or going to a second job, we know the children in the classroom get the most from focused teachers who are energized around the working elevating outcomes,” said Superintendent Anita Huggins.

Board members said they could increase salaries without cutting funds across any program. This proposed salary raise will make Charleston teachers’ salaries competitive with those of teachers in areas such as Atlanta and Charlotte.

“We are already the highest paying in the state, but it will position us in the southeastern region to lead in the region. It will not only make us more competitive but allow us to select the very best and retain them,” said Leah Whatley, a CCSD board member.

In recent years, Charleston County has seen a decline in the number of young people entering the teaching profession. With higher salaries, the goal is to have more teachers come to Charleston County and stay.

“It’s really important for young people to know it’s a feasible career option. It used to be a common understanding teachers weren’t paid what they deserve but I can see it’s starting to turn. I can see in my own school it has grown, and these students are very interested in being part of one of the best professions out there. I think if students see that it’s something they can afford to live and work and be part of their communities they will definitely pursue it,” said Patrick Martin, a teacher with CCSD.

The Charleston County School Board is also considering expanding employee daycare for FY 2026.

The pay increase was proposed Monday night and will be voted on later this year.