A developing surface low pressure system offshore and an amplifying upper level trough approaching from the west combined with unusually cold air to produce widespread significant winter precipitation across southeast South Carolina. Most of the precipitation fell as snow, with amounts ranging from 1 to 7 inches. The event began as rain for many areas before changing over to snow, with a period of freezing rain along the coast where up to two tenths of an inch of ice accumulation occurred. The official storm total snowfall for the day at the Charleston International Airport was 5.3 inches which ranks as the 3rd highest one day snowfall on record, dating back to 1938. Following the storm, very cold air persisted across the region. This allowed snow to stay on the ground and on area roadways for an unprecedented period of time. The daily snow depth at the Charleston International Airport was a trace or greater for 5 consecutive days, which set a new record. Travel was very hazardous during and after the event, with many secondary roads remaining snow covered for nearly a week. Many schools and businesses were closed for several days, and portions of Interstate 26 and Interstate 526 were closed for various periods of time during and immediately following the snowfall. There were 3 indirect fatalities as a result of the event.  One person died as a result of slipping and falling on ice on a walkway, another died while being pulled on a sled behind a vehicle and striking a parked vehicle, and a pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle that slid off an icy roadway.

Heavy Snow in ALLENDALE, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 09:25:00 to 03-JAN-18 15:30:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Storm total snowfall ranged from trace amounts in the northwest corner of the county, to as much as 2 to 3 inches along the Hampton County border. The Fairfax Roads and Bridges Department reported 2 to 3 inches of snowfall and the Water and Sewer District reported 2 inches of snowfall.

Heavy Snow in HAMPTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 09:15:00 to 03-JAN-18 16:15:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hampton County Emergency Management reported that storm total snowfall ranged between 2 and 4 inches across the county. Around Estill and Hampton, 2 inches of snow was measured. The highest amounts were near Yemassee where as much as 4 inches of snow fell.

Winter Storm in JASPER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 07:45:00 to 03-JAN-18 16:25:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Jasper County Emergency Management reported that storm total snowfall ranged from 2 to 6 inches across the inland portion of the county. The lowest amounts of 2 inches fell around Robertville, with 3 to 4 inches measured around Ridgeland.  The highest amount in the county was 6 inches which was received via social media just east of Ridgeland. In addition to the snow, the event began as freezing rain. One report of a quarter of an inch of ice was received from the Ridgeland area.

Heavy Snow in COASTAL JASPER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 07:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 16:45:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Jasper County Emergency Management reported that 2 to 4 inches of snow was measured in the coastal portion of the county. The highest amount was 4 inches which was measured at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, Blufton campus.

Heavy Snow in BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 06:00:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:40:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Storm total snowfall generally ranged between 2 and 4 inches across Beaufort County. The highest amount measured was 4.5 inches on Hilton Head Island. There was also a report of 4 inches near Bluffton and 2 to 3.5 inches around Beaufort. A brief period of freezing rain was reported before the changeover to all snow, with no ice accumulation.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN COLLETON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 08:50:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:35:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snowfall generally ranged from 2 to 6 inches across the inland portion of Colleton County. Reports were received of 2 inches near Lodge, 4 inches in Round O, 4.5 to 5.3 inches around Cottageville, and 6.3 inches near Green Pond.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN COLLETON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 07:45:00 to 03-JAN-18 17:45:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter estimated 4 to 5 inches of snow across coastal portions of Colleton County, including 5 inches measured in Bennetts Point.

Heavy Snow in DORCHESTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 08:25:00 to 03-JAN-18 18:25:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Storm total snowfall across Dorchester County ranged from around 3 inches in the northern end, to as much as 6 to 7 inches in the southern end near Summerville and North Charleston. The precipitation started off as rain and then transitioned to a period of freezing rain. During the freezing rain, Summerville Police Department reported that Bacons Bridge Road bridge between Holly Road and Swinton was closed due to ice.  The highest snowfall amounts received were 6.8 inches in Summerville off of Gahagan Road and 7.3 inches in the Newington area of Summerville. There was 1 indirect fatality due to the winter storm in Saint George. A 14 year old male died while being pulled behind an ATV and striking a parked car.

Winter Storm in CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 07:45:00 to 03-JAN-18 19:15:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Storm total snowfall amounts generally ranged from 2 to 6 inches across Charleston County. The precipitation started as rain then changed to freezing rain in the morning, before a prolonged period of snow began. One report of a quarter of an inch of ice accumulation was received near the Shadowmoss subdivision. Elsewhere, ice accumulations ranged from trace amounts up to 2 tenths of an inch around James Island, Charleston, and Mount Pleasant. The lowest snow totals occurred in the eastern part of the county near Awendaw and McClellanville where 2 inches was measured. Other notable totals include 4 to 5 inches across James Island, Johns Island, and West Ashley. Around Mount Pleasant, amounts were also 4 to 5 inches. The maximum totals for the county occurred around Ladson and Goose Creek where 6.5 inches was measured. A 36 year old female died a few days following the event when a vehicle slid off of an icy road and struck the pedestrian on the sidewalk. The incident occurred on Ladson Road near the intersection with Jamison Road in North Charleston.

Heavy Snow in INLAND BERKELEY, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 08:30:00 to 03-JAN-18 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Storm total snowfall amounts generally ranged from 4 to 7 inches across Berkeley County. Numerous reports were received, most of which came through social media. The precipitation started off as rain, then transitioned to freezing rain and around a tenth of an inch of ice was observed near the College Park area. Snow totals include 5 to 6 inches in the Summerville area, 4 to 5 inches around Moncks Corner, 6 inches in Jamestown, and 4 to 5 inches around Wando and the Wando River. Maximum amounts in the county were around 7 inches along Highway 52 and Highway 17 Alternate south of Moncks Corner. A male South Carolina DOT worker died several days following a fall on an icy sidewalk outside a DOT facility in Moncks Corner. The age of the victim is unknown.

Heavy Snow in TIDAL BERKELEY, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-JAN-18 07:20:00 to 03-JAN-18 18:40:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Storm total snowfall amounts generally ranged between 5 to 6 inches across tidal Berkeley County. A CoCoRaHS observer on Daniel Island measured 5.2 inches and a NWS employee measured 5 inches at Hall Marine on Daniel Island.