Ice Storm Warning Issued for Most of CSRA, as Freezing Rain Impacts Saturday
The City of Augusta is activating warming shelters for Saturday and Sunday, as freezing rain is expected to hit Saturday evening and into Sunday.
An Ice Storm Warning has been issued for most of the northern CSRA, including Richmond, Columbia, Aiken, Edgefield and other counties, as a severe winter storm moves across the country.
The complete coverage area for the Ice Storm Warning is: Richmond, Columbia, Aiken, Edgefield, McDuffie, Warren, Taliaferro, Wilkes, Lincoln, McCormick, and Saluda County. That goes into effect at 1 p.m. Saturday, and extends to 1 p.m. Monday.
Areas to the south are in Winter Storm Watch or Winter Weather Advisory right now, as impacts could be less likely there, but caution is encouraged. Generally the greater impacts are expected North of I-20.
The City of Augusta is activating warming shelters for Saturday and Sunday, as freezing rain is expected to hit Saturday evening and into Sunday. Any where from 1/4 to 1/2 an inch of ice accumulation is expected, which is significant. Power outages could be widespread in that condition, and roads would prove difficult to travel on.
While temperatures will rise some on Sunday, a late batch of rain showers and overnight freezing temperatures into Monday could cause major issues on roads.
A number of school systems have already announced closures and delays, as listed below.
- McDuffie County School System closed Monday.
- Edgefield County School District operating "at minimum" on 2-hour delay Monday. Additional updates Saturday at 4 p.m.
- Lincoln County Schools will be closed Monday for a "Learn from home day."
- Paine College has cancelled classes for Friday to give students time to travel home.
- Richmond County students will be taking their "school-issued devices" home today (Friday, January 23, 2026) in preparation for an E-Learning day on Monday. No final decision on Monday yet. Updates will be shared through the district’s inclement weather landing page at rcboe.org/weatherupdates, the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, social media channels, and local news outlets.
- The University of Georgia is urging students to go home after classes Friday. They anticipate being closed on Monday, but an official update will come on Sunday afternoon.
- Aiken County students will be sent home with laptops and remote assignments Friday in case they switch to e-learning for Monday. Any school activities scheduled beyond noon on Saturday will be rescheduled.
- Fox Creek High School is moving to an e-learning day on Monday. Teachers will have assignments posted on Google Classroom by 8 a.m. for students to log in and complete their assignments. There will be no after-school activities on Monday.
- McCormick County Schools will have an e-learning day on Monday, January 26th. Additionally, there will be no athletic events or practices on Friday, January 23rd, through Monday, January 26th.
