Beaufort County Residents are Urged to Prepare for Extreme Cold

Winter Weather Update - January 29, 2026

Beaufort County is actively monitoring the  extreme cold and potential for winter weather that may affect our area this weekend. Residents are encouraged to protect and prepare their homes, look out for their neighbors, and bring pets indoors. 

Beaufort County Operations

Convenience Center Late Opening Sunday
Due to the forecast for extremely low temperatures, Beaufort County Convenience Centers will open on a delayed schedule Sunday, February 1. The Centers will open at 12 p.m. for the safety of our staff. Centers will return to their usual operating schedule Monday, February 2. 

More information regarding any additional closures or changes to Beaufort County operations will be available on our website, through our email notification system, and on our social media channels.

We encourage everyone to download the Everbridge app to receive up-to-date information on matters of public safety from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

Hilton Head Island Airport
For those with travel plans, be sure to check with your carrier to find up-to-date flight status.

Beaufort County Animal Services Needs Help: Give a Dog a Warm Home For a Few Days

Beaufort County Animal Services in partnership with Jasper County Animal Rescue Mission has just accepted quite a few dogs who live in outdoor pens in Ridgeland. Due to the severity of the cold weather for the next few days, out of an abundance of caution, the dogs have been moved inside at the County shelter in Okatie. With the shelter at full capacity, shelter staff is asking the public to stop by and foster a dog until this severe cold weather passes. Supplies are provided and a warm home will be a wonderful break and stress reliever for the dogs. Stop by Beaufort County Animal Services at 10 Pritcher Point Road, Okatie, to fill out an application or message them on their Facebook page.

The Forecast

As of Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter storm watch advisory for Beaufort County. Unseasonably cold weather will occur through early next week, with windchills in the single digits and teens over the weekend. There is a possibility that some in our area will see snowfall, though there is considerable uncertainty about the timing and amounts.

• To stay on top of the weather forecast, please monitor the NWS Charleston website.
• Visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website to view winter weather preparation tips and resources 

If Severe Weather Develops

• Report issues with BC Connect, the mobile app that lets you submit requests directly to Beaufort County. Available now on the App Store or Google Play.
• Stay Home: Please stay off the roads if possible. Road conditions could deteriorate quickly if winter weather arrives.

Warming Shelters

• Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Dr, Beaufort, will open at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 26. The cold weather shelter will operate from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. The Shelter will remain available through Monday, February 2. Hours of operation are in the graphic below.
  • Dinner, showers, and breakfast provided.
  • Weapons, alcohol, drugs, smoking, and pets are not permitted.
  • Service animals are allowed.

• Christ Lutheran Church, 829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head, will operate a cold weather shelter from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 29, and then Saturday, January 31 through Monday, February 2. 
  • Dinner and a to-go breakfast will be provided.
  • Weapons, alcohol, smoking, and pets are not permitted.
  • Service animals will be allowed.