A surface low off the Florida coast moved NE off the GA/SC/NC coast while intensifying rapidly, spreading moisture northward into a very cold air mass anchored over the Mid Atlantic and SE US.  As moisture combined with the cold air, snow fell over the southern and eastern Midlands of South Carolina during the afternoon and early evening of January 3rd, with snowfall amounts ranging from a trace to up to 7 inches.

Heavy Snow in BAMBERG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 12:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Social Media

Public report, received via social media, of a total snow amount of 4 inches at Farrell Crossroads, near the intersection of Farrells Rd and SR 61.

Heavy Snow in CALHOUN, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 13:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Social Media

Public report, received via social media, of a total snow amount of 5.8 inches in Cameron.

Heavy Snow in CALHOUN, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 13:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Social Media

Public report, received via social media, of a total snow amount of 2.3 inches 3 miles ENE of St. Matthews.

Heavy Snow in CLARENDON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 13:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Clarendon Co SC Sheriffs Dept estimated a total snow amount of 3 inches in Manning.  NWS COOP observer in Manning also reported a snow depth the next morning of 3 inches in Manning.

Heavy Snow in CHESTERFIELD, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 14:30:00 to 03-JAN-18 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Public

Public report of a total snow amount of 4 inches in Cheraw.

Heavy Snow in LEE, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 14:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Lee Co Emergency Management reported a total snow amount of 5 inches in Bishopville.

Heavy Snow in LEE, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 14:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Public

Public report, received via social media, of a total snow amount of 6 inches in Ashwood.

Heavy Snow in ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 13:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Orangeburg Sheriff's Dept reported snow began in Orangeburg around 1300 EST.  They reported 3 inches of snow accumulation at 1544 EST in Orangeburg at I-26 and US Hwy 301, while snow was still in progress.  They also reported a total snow accumulation of 5 inches at the same location after the snow ended.

Heavy Snow in ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 12:30:00 to 03-JAN-18 15:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Social Media

Public reported, via social media, 1.9 inches of snow in Cope.

Heavy Snow in ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 13:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Orangeburg Co Emergency Management reported 3 inches of snow in Bowman.

Heavy Snow in ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 13:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Skywarn spotter reported 3 to 5 inches of snow in Orangeburg.

Heavy Snow in SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 13:30:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Social Media

Public report, received via social media, of 2 inches of snow on the ground, 2 miles WNW of Dalzell, at 1515 EST and a total snow depth of 5.5 inches after the snow ended, at the same location.

Heavy Snow in SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 13:30:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotter reported 2 inches of snow on Mallard Dr, about one mile west of downtown Sumter, at 1539 EST, and total snow amounts ranging from 5 to 7 inches in that vicinity after the snow ended.

Heavy Snow in SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 14:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:20:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotter measured 2.75 inches of snow at Shaw AFB at 1652 EST, and a total snow amount of 4.3 inches at the same location after the snow ended. Observations from Shaw AFB indicated that the snow began around 1400 EST and ended around 1720 EST.

Heavy Snow in SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 14:26:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:36:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS observer 1.3 miles SE of Sumter reported that snow began at 1426 EST and ended at 1736 EST with a total snow amount of 3.8 inches.

Heavy Snow in SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 14:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS observer in Sumter reported a total snow amount of 5.1 inches.

Heavy Snow in SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 14:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Social Media

Public report, via social media, of a total snow amount of 4.5 inches in Sumter near Sumter High School.

Heavy Snow in SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 14:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS observer in the Emerald Lakes Subdivision, about 3 miles WNW of Oswego or about 8 miles north of Sumter, observed a total snow amount of 4.1 inches.

Heavy Snow in ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 12:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP Observer at Holly Hill reported a total snow amount of 4.2 inches.

Heavy Snow in BAMBERG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 12:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Social Media

Public report, received via social media, of a little over 2 inches of snow in Olar.

Heavy Snow in BAMBERG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 12:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Social Media

Public report, received via social media, of a total snow amount of 4 to 5 inches in Ehrhardt.