SCDOT pretreating bridge decks in Sumter ahead of overnight ice

Snow likely Wednesday, but no accumulation

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State and local agencies are preparing for the likelihood of cold rain and snow in Sumter County and South Carolina Wednesday morning.

After an above-freezing low Tuesday night around 37 degrees, there is a chance of rain after 5 a.m. becoming more likely before noon on Jan. 17, according to the National Weather Service.

Rain and snow is likely tomorrow with a high predicted to reach near 38 degrees. “Little or no” snow accumulation is expected.

To remain prepared, the South Carolina Department of Transportation is pretreating bridge decks on state roadways in District 1, which includes Sumter and Lee counties, “in anticipation of frozen precipitation overnight,” the agency reported.

Winter weather is expected across the Upstate and Midlands overnight and into tomorrow.

NWS Meteorologist Doug Anderson said the “overall pattern is quite different” this week than the heavy snowfall that was dropped on the area at the beginning of the month.

“It’s not nearly as cold as the last time,” he said. “There’s just so much dry air.”

Wednesday night will drop to 21 degrees before climbing back to near 47 on Thursday.

It is not expected to rain after Wednesday for the rest of the week.