Cold Weather Shelters Open in Beaufort County Ahead of Winter Chill

Cold Weather Shelters Open in Beaufort County Ahead of Winter Chill

As temperatures begin to plummet in Beaufort County, two local churches are stepping up to ensure that those in need have a warm place to stay. This week, a chilly cold front is making its way through the Lowcountry, bringing potentially dangerous temperatures and gusty winds. Residents have already felt the impact of a major winter storm that swept across many areas of the U.S. over the weekend, causing school closures and travel hiccups. Now, it’s time to hunker down and prepare for what could be a brrr-rrr-ating week!

What to Expect from the Weather

According to forecasts from the National Weather Service, Beaufort and Jasper counties will see some serious cold as temperatures dip into the low 30s and even high 20s over the next few days. This Friday morning, we could wake up to a bone-chilling 29 degrees Fahrenheit at 5 a.m. If that wasn’t enough to send shivers down your spine, the ‘feels-like’ temperature could drop to around 23 degrees due to gusting winds that may reach up to 21 mph.

It doesn’t stop there—these gusty winds have led to a wind advisory that is in effect through Monday afternoon. With winds rolling in from the southwest at 20 to 25 mph, some unsecured objects could easily be tumbling around! And keep an umbrella handy, as we could see about 0.10 inches of rainfall this Monday afternoon.

Cold Weather Shelters Opening Soon

To help those who may be at risk of exposure to these freezing temperatures, local faith communities are opening their doors to provide shelter. Sea Island Presbyterian Church on Lady’s Island will welcome guests starting Monday night and continuing through Thursday morning (January 6-9) from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. each night. They’ll be serving up breakfast and dinner, with shower facilities available. Just a friendly reminder: no weapons, alcohol, smoking, or pets are allowed—only service animals!

Over on Hilton Head Island, Christ Lutheran Church is also opening its doors from Tuesday through Thursday nights (January 7-9), providing a warm meal in the evening and a to-go breakfast for the morning. They’ll be open from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. the following morning, with similar guidelines regarding safety and pets. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to call them!

What About Snow?

Good news if you’re hoping for a winter wonderland—snow isn’t in the cards for the Hilton Head area this week. However, it won’t be any picnic; temperatures are expected to be about 20 degrees colder than our typical average January temperatures, which hang around 47.7 degrees Fahrenheit.

Looking Forward in the Week

This week is shaping up to have its ups and downs with temperatures swinging back and forth. Expect highs around 66 degrees on Monday, but don’t get too cozy as the lows that night will plunge to around 31 degrees. As we move into Tuesday and Wednesday, we’ll see sunny skies but much cooler temps hovering around the 48 to 52 degree mark. By the weekend, while we might reach back into the 50s, we can also expect some light showers to make their way through.

So, what can we conclude? Make sure to check in on friends and neighbors, especially if they may need a warm place to stay during this cold snap. With temperatures dropping, it’s the perfect time to come together as a community and support one another. Stay warm, Beaufort County!