Snowfall has started to decrease across Upstate South Carolina around 6 p.m., with some isolated areas still seeing steady precipitation. The area remains under a winter storm warning until 7 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1. An extreme cold warning is in effect from 7 p.m. on Jan. 31 through Sunday, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m. 
Here’s how the night will unfold and what people can expect to start February.  
Tonight, Jan. 31: A 40% chance of snow, mainly before 10 p.m. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 10. Wind chill values as low as -1. North-northwest winds 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible. 
Sunday, Feb. 1:  Sunny, with a high near 34. Wind chill values as low as -1. Northwest wind around 7 mph. 
Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 13. Light northwest wind. 
Here’s what you need to know: closings and cancellations, and shelters and warming centers.
Keep up with the latest information on the incoming storm below.
Here is how much snow parts of the Upstate received through the afternoon on Jan. 31, according to the snowfall tracker.
Bella Carpentier
By afternoon, numerous flights scheduled to and from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport had been cancelled. 
The airport’s website (Flight Status – Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) | South Carolina) showed mostly cancellations of scheduled arrivals from locations including Miami, Denver, Atlanta, and more. Several flights scheduled to arrive after 9 p.m. were listed as on schedule. 
All departures listed were cancelled, according to the website. 
A Jan. 30 post on the GSP Facebook page said that airport “teams are ready and snow crews are prepared to support safe travel at GSP.” The post advised customers to check with their airlines on specific flight information. 
Baker Maultsby
Effective immediately, the Greenville Police Department will not dispatch officers to single-vehicle collisions that do not involve injuries, they wrote on Facebook. “We again urge everyone to stay off the roads, as conditions are extremely unsafe,” they wrote. If you are involved in a single-vehicle collision with no injuries, please complete the provided accident report form and submit it directly to your insurance company.https://scdps.sc.gov/…/FR-309%20White%20Traffic…
Six deaths related to last week’s ice storm have been confirmed by local and state officials.
Five of the deaths were caused by hypothermia, while one man died after slipping and falling at his home, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH).
On Jan. 31, DPH reported the deaths of two people in Laurens County due to hypothermia — an 85-year-old man who died on Jan. 21 and a 91-year-old woman who died on Jan. 30.
Baker Maultsby
Spartanburg School District 6 wrote on Facebook: “It’s not every day we get this much snow, and our students aren’t the only ones enjoying it! Check out our superintendent rowing his way through a Southern snow day!”
The City of Spartanburg is answering the question: “Why are they clearing snow while it’s still falling?”
“As any of the folks in our outstanding Public Works department will tell you, it’s because moving an inch of snow at a time now is a lot easier than moving 5 inches of ice later,” they wrote on Facebook.
The City of Greer reports on Facebook that “there are too many vehicles out on the roads right now.”
“The snow is coming down hard, and road crews can’t keep up. The best thing for you to do is to stay home.
“Greer Police Department has responded to a lot of wrecks in a short period of time, and they’ve had to rescue drivers who’ve gotten stuck trying to drive on roads covered in snow. It’s not getting better any time soon.
“Please give first responders, road crews, and other folks doing critical jobs to keep the community safe plenty of room to work. Again, the best thing you can do is to stay off the roads.”
WYFF Meteorologist Chris Justus said the “snowfall rates are beginning to ease, and most of the accumulation is already down. That said, a back-edge snow band will continue moving through the southern and eastern Upstate — including Spartanburg, Greenwood, and Union counties — through around 6 p.m.
“These bands can still produce brief heavy snow and reduced visibility. After that, expect flurries and snow showers through the evening as temperatures drop sharply to around 10 degrees.
“Roads will stay slick, and refreeze will be an issue overnight.”
Jose Franco
The Greenville Police Department is reporting eight collisions in 25 minutes. Even without ice, the road conditions are unsafe to drive on. Please stay home and avoid travel.
The National Weather Service is continuing to track two heavy snow bands, with one moving across northeast Georgia and another pivoting across the Upstate into the I-77 corridor.
Heavy 1-2″ per hour snowfall rates can be expected as these snow bands move across the area.
Persistent light to moderate snow continues outside these bands, with additional light to heavy snow expected across the region through this evening.
The Greenville County Emergency Management is receiving “numerous reports of traffic incidents across the area, including vehicles sliding off roadways and collisions due to hazardous conditions,” according to a Facebook post.
“First responders are actively working to chain vehicles and secure safe access for emergency operations during this inclement weather,” they wrote on Facebook.
“Our strongest message today: Please stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary. Stay home, stay safe. As the day continues, road conditions are expected to deteriorate further, becoming increasingly dangerous.”
The Greenville County Emergency Management is offering advice regarding generators and space heaters:
While you’re indoors, remember fire safety remains critical:
Greenville County Emergency Management has released an Extreme Cold Weather Alert: Protect your pipes from freezing.
GCEM posted on Facebook:
With dangerously low temperatures gripping the area, water pipes are at high risk of freezing and bursting — which can cause major flooding and costly damage in your home.
Take these simple steps now to help prevent frozen pipes:
–Open cabinet doors under sinks and in bathrooms to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
–Let faucets drip slowly — a steady trickle (especially from exterior-facing or uninsulated pipes) keeps water moving and reduces freezing risk.
–Keep your thermostat set above 55°F (even when away) to maintain consistent warmth throughout the home.
-If pipes do freeze, never use an open flame to thaw them — use a hair dryer or call a professional.
–Act today to avoid emergencies. Check on vulnerable neighbors and share this post.
Traffic maps from the South Carolina Department of Transportation show significant backups on I-85 as a winter storm creates hazardous driving conditions. 
The traffic maps show a crash near mile marker 81, close to Cowpens. Crews have all lanes of I-85 North blocked off near exit 82, near Frontage Road, as of 12:30 p.m. 
SCDOT posted about the crash on X, asking people to stay off the roads. 
“Accidents that block lanes can leave motorists stuck for extended periods of time until the roadway can be cleared,” SCDOT stated. “Please avoid unnecessary travel and give emergency responders and road crews room to work safely.” 
Bella Carpentier
 Officials in Spartanburg County are urging residents to stay off the roads, if possible.
Scottie Kay Blackwell, communications manager for Spartanburg County administration, said law enforcement reported “multiple collisions” during morning hours.
Blackwell said crews are working to make roads as safe as possible.
“So far, our crews have used about 55,000 gallons of brine just on the county’s system alone,” she said in an email.
About 60 members of the county’s roads and bridges staff are working “around the clock” plowing roadways and sanding bridges, she said.
But clearing roads in a snowstorm is a major task.
“There are more than 3,400 centerline miles” – meaning on one direction – “of publicly maintained roadway in Spartanburg County,” Blackwell noted.
 This includes roads maintained by county, state, and municipal governments.
The county posted a message on social media warning, “Travel conditions are unsafe. Please remain off the roads.”
Some residents had nonetheless ventured out during morning.
East Main Street near Hillcrest saw light traffic a little before noon.
Elaine Smith stopped at the Fresh Market to pick up a few items while the store was still open. She said the roads she and her husband had traveled on “weren’t too bad. But I’m sure it’s going to get worse as the day goes on.”
The Fresh Market had opened early in the morning before the snow started, said store manager Linzy Greene.
There were a few employees still working about noon. Greene said the store would be closing at 1 p.m. “Everyone has been in pretty good spirits,” she said.
Brian Horton, fire chief of the Greenville Fire Department, is reiterating calls from police and the city to stay home. 
Horton said in a City of Greenville livestream that everyone largely stayed at home during the winter storm from Jan. 24 to Jan. 25, but people are driving more during this weekend’s snow. He also said roads are getting worse as temperatures drop throughout the day. 
“We’ve had more wrecks in the last hour than we had all of last weekend,” Horton said, noting people are driving “way too fast” than they should be. 
Horton said fire crews are also responding to injuries from people slipping on the ice. 
“Stay home and enjoy your time with your family at home,” Horton said. “Please stay off the streets.” 
Bella Carpentier
Upstate South Carolina is under a winter storm warning until 7 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1. The region will also be under an extreme cold warning starting at 7 p.m., in effect through 10 a.m. on Feb. 1. 
The National Weather Service’s latest predictions indicate that snowfall will continue throughout the rest of today, Jan. 31, with an expected daytime accumulation of 3 to 7 inches. In the mix for the day is a chance of patchy freezing fog from noon to 2 p.m. in the Greenville area and other parts of the Upstate.  
Temperatures are expected to stay around 27 degrees throughout the day. But as we head into the evening, temperatures will drop to the teens with wind chill values as low as zero. 
“Gusty winds combined with very cold temperatures will lead to dangerously cold wind chills today through Monday. The bitterly cold wind chill could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken,” the forecast discussion from the weather service read.  
Snow will begin to taper off around 11 p.m.  
Joyce Orlando
Roads are packed with fluffy snow early in the morning, Jan. 31, with more accumulation expected through the afternoon. 
The city of Greenville issued a Saturday morning storm update, stating its public works crews spent Friday brining primary roads and other hazardous spots such as slopes. Still, city officials urge residents to stay off the roads as snow accumulates quickly. 
The city has no road closures listed on its active closures map as of 10 a.m. on Jan. 31. 
Greenville County also posted an update on Friday, Jan. 30, stating that its crews pre-treated critical facility access areas and have prepared their equipment ahead of the storm. The county stated in its post that it will begin clearing its 1,800 miles of county-maintained roads once the snow stops. 
The Greenville News contacted the county for further information on road closures. 
Bella Carpentier
The National Weather Service posted at 10 a.m. this updated forecast:
Snow’s overspreading the area this morning and quickly accumulating on roads.
The snow will be moderate to heavy at times this morning.
The snow gradually ends from west to east this afternoon and evening, but not before the axis of heaviest snow shifts eastward, focusing along and south of I-85 and the I-77 corridor between Charlotte and Columbia.
Storm total snowfall is forecast to range from 4 to 8 inches, with locally higher amounts possible in narrow snow bands, while areas just outside these bands may receive slightly less.
Jose Franco
The City of Greenville posted on social media:
“Snow is falling and is expected to pick up within the next hour, stick, and accumulate quickly. You’re waking up to a dusting on windshields, but nothing is sticking to the roads yet. We’re prepared.
“Public Works opened it’s emergency operations center. Crews brined primary roads, steep slopes, bridges, and major intersections on Friday. Overnight crews focused on connector streets.
The Greenlink service is canceled for Saturday and Sunday.
The Greenville Zoo is closed Saturday and Sunday. A seven-member team is on-site and will stay overnight to care for animals and refuel generators as needed.
The Welcome Center, Honor Tower, Timmons Park, and Cleveland Park Drive will be closed Saturday and Sunday.
Alerts, road closures, shelter info https://www.greenvillesc.gov/1861/Emergency-Communications
Showers and restroom station opens at Doodle Park in Pickens.
The City of Pickens has opened a heated shower and restroom facility for anyone who needs access during this weekend’s winter storm.
Location: Doodle Park
409 E. Cedar Rock St., Pickens
Available 24 hours a day
This resource is open to all community members, especially those without power or water. Please use caution when traveling, and check on neighbors who may need assistance.
Delaney’s Irish pub in downtown Spartanburg announced on Facebook it will open at 11 a.m. on Jan. 31 and will close based on conditions.
“We’re opening at 11am today and staying open until we decide to close based on conditions. If you’re feeling brave and heading downtown, we’d love to see you for warm food, cold pints, and familiar faces.
“That said, please be safe out there and mindful of other drivers if you choose to venture out. No rush, no pressure, we’ll keep an eye on the weather and update here if anything changes.”
Jose Franco
All City Community Centers, Parks, and Trails will be closed this weekend due to inclement weather.
Additionally, the SPARTA Bus and SpartaGo Microtransit will not operate over the weekend.
For transit, parks, special events, and other important updates, please sign up for text/email alerts on our website: https://www.cityofspartanburg.org/List.aspx
Here’s what downtown Greenville looks like covered in the early morning snow, courtesy of Greenville News Photographer Alex Martin.
The South Carolina Emergency Management has a Winter Weather Guide. Download the South Carolina Winter Weather Guide for winter weather safety tips and resources here.
Jose Franco
Upstate South Carolina is under a winter storm warning until 7 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1. The region will also be under an extreme cold warning starting at 7 p.m., which will be in effect through 10 a.m. on Feb. 1. 
The National Weather Service’s latest predictions indicate that snowfall will continue throughout the rest of today, Jan. 31, with an expected daytime accumulation of 3 to 7 inches.
We want to see your snow photos and short video clips. Click here to fill out this form and send us photos of snow totals, snowball fights, sledding, and just your backyard and neighborhood covered in snow.
At 2:06 a.m., the NWS issued a statement including the following information:
What: Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations between 5 and 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. 
Where: Northeast Georgia, the foothills and Piedmont of North Carolina, and Upstate South Carolina. 
When: Until 7 a.m. EST Sunday. 
Impacts: The heavy snow will make many roads impassable and may produce isolated power outages due to the weight of the snow on tree limbs and power lines. 
Additional details: Snow is expected to rapidly stick to roads and other surfaces due to temperatures in the 20s. Very gusty winds today could result in areas of blowing snow, causing very poor visibility.” 
The National Weather Service issues warnings based on local impacts. A winter storm in Texas might trigger a warning with far less snow than the same storm in Wisconsin, because local infrastructure, typical weather and public safety needs differ.
A second winter storm in less than a week is expected to bring heavy snow and gusty winds, keeping emergency shelters active across multiple counties.
Shelters around the Upstate are still open in Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg counties for people to get out of the cold. Here’s the list.
Snow forecasted for the Upstate might be enough to rival one of the most significant snowstorms in the region’s recent history.
The National Weather Service and Greenville-Spartanburg Airport’s latest urgent winter weather message is forecasting total snow accumulations between 3-7 inches, with wind gusts as high as 35 mph. A winter storm warning remains in effect until Sunday, Feb. 1 at 7 a.m.
Jake Wimberley with the NWS at GSP said this event will be much different from last weekend’s, where precipitation consisted mainly of 1-3 inches of sleet.
“The way that this precipitation is developing is different, and the fact that we have a deep layer of cold air over the area where we will have cold air throughout the atmosphere over the Greenville area suggests the precipitation will be all snow.” he said.
The upcoming weather event may compare with the snowstorm of Jan. 15-17, 2022 where snow accumulations between two to five inches of snow impacted a large portion of the Upstate.
Here’s what to know about some of South Carolina’s worst snowstorms.
Utility companies are bracing for the winter storm expected to dump 4-7 inches of snow on the Upstate over the weekend. 
Anticipated high wind gusts pose the greatest risk to the power grid – especially in areas where trees were potentially weakened by the recent ice storm, according to Duke Energy officials.
“Dry, powdery snow is less likely to affect power equipment, but strong wind gusts can still bring down trees and cause outages,” Rick Canavan, Duke Energy storm director said in a statement.
Canavan added that should power go out, for safety, crews cannot perform elevated work in bucket trucks when winds reach 30 mph or higher, which may slow restoration in some areas.
Duke also warns that high winds combined with heavy snowfall could create whiteout conditions that limit visibility and make travel hazardous.
“We encourage customers to prepare now and avoid driving until conditions improve.”
Customers are advised to keep cellphones and other electronic devices charged and to prepare emergency kits that include flashlights and extra batteries.
-Leisa Richardson
A forecast from the National Weather Service, issued around noon on Friday, Jan. 30, indicates heavy snow is expected to begin around 5 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, with a high chance of precipitation continuing throughout the day. Gusty winds are expected to accompany the snowfall, potentially reducing visibility and causing drifting snow.
The chance of precipitation is 90%, with new snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible on Saturday, Jan. 31. Accumulation for the event is projected to be 4-7 inches across much of the Upstate region; some areas could see lower or higher amounts.
Dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills are predicted to impact the region Saturday through Monday morning, Jan. 31-Feb. 2.
-Travis Rose
Strong winds, along with dry, powdery snow, may result in patches of blowing snow, reducing visibility, according to the National Weather Service. Isolated brief instances of blizzard conditions cannot be completely ruled out either.
The weather service warns that very cold temperatures will cause snow to quickly stick to roads, resulting in significant travel impacts through the weekend.
National Weather Service forecast calls for dangerously cold air to move in during the storm and persist into Monday morning, Feb. 2. Overnight lows in the single digits to low teens Saturday night, combined with gusty winds, will result in very cold wind chill values ranging from -10 to -20 across the mountains to -10 to 0 east of the mountains. An extreme cold watch has been issued for the entire area.
The Weather Channel has snow starting at 4 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, and continues until 9 p.m.
Jose Franco
Fox Carolina Meteorologist Kendra Kent’s forecast on social media:
Snow Latest
Start: 2-6 a.m. Saturday
Peak: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
End: Sat Evening
2-4 inches likely, with locally higher amounts possible.
Jose Franco
The National Weather Service at Greenville-Spartanburg advises having a winter storm plan.
WYFF Meteorologist Chris Justus on social media said, “The latest European ensemble — which blends 51 different model solutions — shows a 90% chance of 3 inches or more of snow across the western Carolinas. That’s a strong signal and a far more responsible way to assess risk than relying on a single model run.
“All guidance continues to point toward high snow totals, lining up well with my current forecast of 4–8 inches across the area.
“Confidence continues to rise in a high-impact snowstorm Saturday, with steady snow from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., heavy at times. Most areas are expected to receive 4–8 inches, with a few spots likely to be higher.
“The good news? This is the play-in-the-snow kind of storm — not ice.
“The not-so-good news? It’ll be cold. Wind chills in the teens and a 9° low Sunday morning mean the snow sticks around.
“Great day for snowballs and sleds.
“Not great for roads — expect issues lingering into next week.”
Jose Franco
The South Carolina Department of Transportation has begun pretreating state roadways in preparation for the snow and extreme cold forecast for the weekend.
Transportation Secretary Justin Powell on Jan. 29 addressed how crews are monitoring snowfall probabilities across the state, with snow expected to begin as early as Friday night. According to the National Weather Service’s Greenville-Spartanburg forecast, a winter storm watch takes effect at 4 p.m. on Jan. 30 and continues until 7 a.m. on Feb. 1. There will also be an extreme cold watch in effect from 7 p.m. on Jan. 31 to 10 a.m. on Feb. 1.
Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson counties could receive 4-7 inches of snow, according to the NWS.
Bella Carpentier
Click here to read the article
 Clemson basketball has another game at risk of postponement due to inclement weather.
No. 19 Clemson (17-4, 7-1 ACC) will host Pitt (9-12, 2-6) on Jan. 31 (noon ET, ACC Network) at Littlejohn Coliseum.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch in the Upstate from Jan. 30 (4 p.m. ET) through Feb. 1 (7 a.m. ET). 
AccuWeather’s forecast projects “Colder with intermittent snow and flurries, accumulating an inch or two; breezy in the morning; storm total snowfall 1-3 inches; watch for slippery spots” with 32-degree temperatures on Jan. 31 in Clemson.
Derrian Carter
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