“Oh, the weather outside is . . . weather.” — Paul Rudd, Forgetting Sarah Marshall
It can really feel like the weather outside is just weather here in the Lowcountry as we move through the months. Personally, I love the change of seasons here. They are typically on the milder side — save for the years we have no spring and just blast right into summer. Coming from the desert Southwest where the seasons are “hot” and “not hot,” I love Charleston winters! It’s chilly, sometimes cold (I’m talking to you, last Christmas), and if we’re lucky, sometimes it snows!
Like many who’ve made Charleston home, I wasn’t born here. I grew up in the frozen tundra of the Midwest where winters are long, arduous, “freeze your you know what off” level cold, and just downright ugly after the beauty of the first few snowfalls. I do miss it sometimes though, which is why we are bringing you a guide to the best places to see snow in the Carolinas! Included are locations close enough for a short road trip, or a weekend getaway.
If you want a change of scenery (and a chance to wear your cute winter gear that has been collecting dust in the closet), grab your puffy jackets, warm boots, scarves, beanies, and mittens, and hit the road! (Don’t forget the kids too!)
Top South Carolina Cities to See Snow
According to HomeSnacks, here are the top 10 cities in South Carolina to see snow with averages of around three to four inches annually. Not a proper dumping by any means, but decent enough to throw a snowball or 12. Unleash that pent-up holiday stress on the kids! (Just kidding! Or am I?)
Your best chances of seeing snow in the Upstate are during the months of January and February. It doesn’t tend to stick around too long, though. My advice is to watch the weather reports for the area and be ready to jump in the car and go!
Top North Carolina Cities to See Snow
If you want to make a weekend out of it, head to North Carolina where the chances, and the inches, to experience a winter’s majesty increase drastically. Especially focus more on the Blue Ridge Mountain region with average snowfall ranging from nine to 37 inches annually.
Want to take the family for a ski weekend? Check out Beech Mountain Ski Resort! They have the highest reported snowfall for North Carolina annually. How amazing does a weekend in the mountains sound with the quiet fall of snow, a crackling fire in the fireplace, and being surrounded by your loved ones? Or maybe a girls’/moms’ trip sounds better! You do you, boo!
- Beech Mountain
- Boone
- Black Mountain
- Royal Pines
- Woodfin
- Asheville
- Waynesville
- Mount Airy
- Marion
- Mills River
Snow Safety Tips
Some safety things to keep in mind if you’re not used to driving in winter weather:
- Go slow!
- If you find yourself skidding on the road: take your foot off the gas, don’t break, and steer into the skid.
- Be mindful of black ice on the roads.
Here are some further helpful snow tips from the NHTSA to prepare you for that awesome trip you’re no doubt planning now!
