Winter Storm Warning for Bamberg County Prompts Saturday LAD Site Closures

A National Weather Service winter storm warning is in effect for Bamberg County from 10:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30 through 10:00 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, and county officials have closed LAD Sites on Saturday as a precaution. The multi-county warning and accompanying extreme cold product cover central South Carolina and list Bamberg among the affected areas.

The county’s Office of Public Information issued a Jan. 30 release notifying residents of the warning and the LAD Site closures. The release said, “The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Bamberg County, effective 10:00 p.m. this evening through 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning.” The National Weather Service text explicitly states, “…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST SUNDAY...” and its product string lists the end time as 260201T1500Z, which corresponds to 10:00 a.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 1.

Forecast details diverge between local and federal products. Bamberg County’s release advised that “current forecasts indicate low to moderate impacts for Bamberg County, with conditions expected to intensify Saturday afternoon. The county could see up to 2 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 35 mph.” National Weather Service products reprinted in regional feeds used stronger language, stating, “WHAT...Heavy snow. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 6 inches expected. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.” Wind gusts of up to 35 mph are a consistent forecast across the materials.

Officials also warned of dangerous cold. The county described an “Extreme Cold Watch will be in effect from Saturday evening into Sunday morning.” National Weather Service text described the product as an “EXTREME COLD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST SUNDAY” and added, “WHAT...Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 1 below expected.”

Local emergency operations are on standby. Bamberg County Director of Operations Bill Johnson said, “Our team is prepared and ready to go,” and added, “Equipment and personnel are on standby to address any issues that may arise during this weather event.” The county’s public statement also urged caution: “County officials strongly encourage residents to remain indoors and avoid travel, particularly during periods of snowfall, high winds, and freezing temperatures this weekend.” As a precaution, the release noted, “As a precaution, Bamberg County LAD Site operations will be closed on Saturday.”

Bamberg County sits inside a broader regional warning that names numerous towns and landmarks across central South Carolina. County services and crews will monitor conditions as the storm develops Saturday, and residents should plan for travel disruptions, gusty winds, and bitterly cold wind chills into Sunday morning. Expect further updates from the Office of Public Information as forecasts are refined and response actions are adjusted.