University of South Carolina - Weather

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Between the blistering Carolina sun in the summer and mild winter temperatures, the weather in Columbia is very southern. Pollen season covers the campus with a blanket of yellow every spring, which can be pretty heinous for people with allergy problems—bring allergy medicine if necessary. Shorts, T-shirts, tank tops, and sandals are must-haves, and if you’re not bashful, you might want to bring your bathing suit to lay out on the Horseshoe or by the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center’s outdoor pool.

The winters don’t get very cold, but you will need to bring some warm clothes—a coat, boots, sweaters, and warm pants. Some students wear gloves, scarves, and hats during the winter, but you will also see students walking around in flip-flops in the middle of January. It just depends on what kind of climate you’re used to. Sometimes it snows, but usually that happens only once or twice a year in very small quantities. Even so, it means a definite cancellation of classes at least for one day. Most of the time, the weather in Columbia is beautiful and sunny and may be a little sweltering, but students agree that it’s one of the things that makes going to USC so enjoyable.
 

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

The weather is very hot! Columbia... The weather is very hot! Columbia is always humid—bring a variety of clothing, but be sure to bring your bathing suit! 12345 Weather Report

Anonymous says:

You should bring all of your... You should bring all of your summer clothing because it gets very hot and humid, but also bring a winter jacket and a pair of hiking boots in case of the occasion of snow. 12345 Weather Report

Anonymous says:

It’s usually hot and not too cold,... It’s usually hot and not too cold, but sometimes it gets abnormally cold. 12345 Weather Report

Anonymous says:

Summertime is hot, sunny, and... Summertime is hot, sunny, and humid. Lotion up, and put on the tank tops, shorts, and shades. Winter is usually mild, and if you’re lucky, school will be cancelled for a day because of the threat of snow. That’s right—southerners are not accustomed to any sort of winter wonderland. 12345 Weather Report

Anonymous says:

The summer is really hot. If you... The summer is really hot. If you don’t like hot weather, South Carolina might not be the place for you. 12345 Weather Report

Did You Know?

Wind storms can be a problem in the spring, and snow has been known to fall once or twice in Columbia.

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