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GREENVILLE — Another cold snap is headed South Carolina’s way — the most-bitter one of this winter — but will there be a second chance of snow to redeem the muddy snowmen who lined the roads last weekend?

Local meteorologists say it’s too soon to know for sure, but the temperatures are going to be conducive to snow next week if the Arctic front expected to plunge south brings mixes with enough moisture.

“We're monitoring and tracking the different forecast models and how they are handling the possible return of moisture middle of next week,” National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Horne said. “It's still a ways out, and the models are not really in that good of an agreement. Next Thursday, perhaps eight or nine days from now, there could be a system spreading up moisture from the Southwest.”

With the overnight lows in the teens and temperatures that will struggle to reach above freezing next week, the Arctic air heightens the Upstate’s chances for snow.

Unlike last weekend, this system would likely only bring snowflakes — not the freezing rain or sleet that accompanied the Jan. 10 system.

“The cold air, which should be in place middle of next week, is expected to be deep enough where there's a much higher probability of simply just a snowfall,” Horne said. “If anything falls at this point, the best chances are for it to be mostly, if not all, snow.”

Temperatures will be around normal this weekend but will drop when air from the Great Lakes arrives Jan. 20.

As of Jan. 15, the forecast for one week out has a 30 percent chance of accumulating snow or sleet for the Upstate.

The last system brought 3.5 inches of snow to the mountainous Sunset community of Pickens County. Anderson and Travelers Rest reported 2 inches, and Spartanburg made the best of its snowfall of half an inch.

The previous two years left the Upstate without snow, but the later portion of winter is typically when South Carolina sees the bulk of its freezing precipitation and colder temperatures, Horne said.

All the precautions from the last winter event should be taken, though keeping faucets dripping overnight when temperatures reach the teens might be worth adding to the list, he said.

Bon Secours and Prisma Health are implementing new visitor restrictions as cases of influenza and respiratory illnesses rise across the country.

Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 15, Bon Secours St. Francis's Eastside and downtown hospital locations will restrict children under the age of 16 from visiting. On the same date, Prisma Health will begin restricting those under 16 from visiting hospitalized patients.

These precautions are being taken to keep patients, staff, and visitors safe. Visitors of the hospital are encouraged to wear masks, although they are not required to wear them.

Here's what to know about cases of influenza, norovirus, and RSV in the South Carolina.

SC among six states with highest flu cases this season

S.C. is among six states in the country with the highest amount of flu cases. This data comes from the Center for Disease Control's outpatient respiratory illness activity map that includes symptoms of fever plus a cough and sore throat. In the map, S.C. scored "very high" in influenza-like illness (ILI) activity for the first week of the 2024-25 influenza season ending Jan. 4, 2025. This is the highest category of activity level.

Between Dec. 29 through Jan. 4, 3,106 lab confirmed tests were reported, per the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH). This flu season, 10,590 lab-confirmed tests were reported. The percent of patient visits to a sentinel provider for an ILI was 8.2% ― above the state's baseline of 3.2%.

During this time period, 356 influenza-associated hospitalizations were reported by 54 hospitals. The cumulative hospitalization rate is 20.7 per 100,000. So far, there have been 1,047 influenza-associated hospitalizations in the current flu season. Three influenza deaths have also been reported (the cumulative mortality rate is 0.2 per 100,000). Eight influenza-associated deaths have occurred this flu season.

What SC counties have the most flu cases?

∎ No. 1: Oconee

∎ No. 2: Pickens

∎ No. 3: Anderson

∎ No. 4: Greenville

∎ No. 5: Spartanburg

Flu season statistics across the country, per CDC

∎ 9.1 million flu illnesses

∎ 110,000 hospitalizations

∎ 4,700 deaths

Information on the flu vaccine can be found at the CDC.

Norovirus

Norovirus cases are also climbing this flu season in S.C., frequently referred to as the "stomach bug" or "stomach flu" despite not being related to influenza. This virus is highly contagious, affecting the stomach and intestines and resulting in gastroenteritis. Individuals who come down with gastroenteritis typically experience symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, along with stomach cramps.

The stomach bug can spread in the following ways, per SCDPH:

∎ Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.

∎ Touching an object, such as a door knob or keyboard, which is contaminated with norovirus, then placing a hand to mouth.

∎ Having direct contact with another person who is infected and shows symptoms (for example, sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is ill).

Read this previous Greenville News story for more information regarding norovirus.

RSV

Each year in the U.S., RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) leads to approximately 2.1 million outpatient (non-hospitalization) visits and 58,000-80,000 hospitalizations among children under 5 years old, as well as 100,000-150,000 hospitalizations among adults under 60 years and under. The virus usually peaks from late December to mid-February.

RSV is common, affecting the nose, throat, and lungs. It is difficult to distinguish its symptoms from the common cold or other respiratory viruses, like the flu or COVID-19. The virus is spread through an infected person coughing or sneezing near you (viral droplets entering the eyes, nose or mouth), direct contact with the virus (kissing the face of a child who has it), or touching surfaces contaminated with the virus.

While RSV usually does not cause severe illness in healthy adults and children, it may cause older adults and infants younger than 6 months to become very sick, leading to hospitalization. It can also cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than a year old.

Severe cases of RSV may require those sick to receive the following:

∎ Additional oxygen.

∎ IV fluids if they can't drink enough to stay hydrated.

∎ Intubation (have a breathing tube inserted through the mouth and down to the airway) with mechanical ventilation (a machine to help a person breathe).

The CDC recommends immunizations to protect infants, young children, and older adults from RSV.

Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com.

What's orange and can be spotted miles away on I-85?

We'll give you a hint: it's a fruit.

If you live in South Carolina, the answer to this question is a no brainer. Gaffney's 135-foot-tall peachoid water tower has caused many drivers to turn their heads during their commute in and out of the state. Those who haven't seen it yet can count on the sight being one not easily forgotten.

Thanks to the giant peach, the town of Gaffney was recently listed among World Atlas' six most eccentric towns in S.C. Here's what the website had to say about Gaffney, and what other towns made the wacky list.

What did World Atlas say about Gaffney?

Gaffney, located in Cherokee County, is known as the "Peach Capital of S.C." In 2023, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population to be around 12,484 people.

In its eccentric towns list, World Atlas mentioned the peachoid landmark, which was constructed in 1981. The water tower can hold up to 1 million gallons of water and is "worth stopping to see its realistic design, which even includes a leaf and stem." Netflix's "House of Cards" series also featured the roadside attraction in Season 1, Episode 3.

And if you think the fruit fun ends with the peachoid, you are mistaken. Things get pretty peachy at Gaffney's S.C. Peach Festival, which is hosted by the town every July, peach eating and live music abound. Those who want to visit the town without getting in on the peach craze can explore Gaffney's history at the Cherokee County Museum, as recommended by World Atlas.

"Located in a former post office built in 1914, this impressive attraction features exhibits on Native American heritage, Revolutionary War battles, and the region's textile industry." said World Atlas.

Why is the Gaffney water tower shaped like a peach?

According to the Society of Architectural Historians, the Gaffney water tower is shaped like a peach to symbolize S.C.'s position as the country's leading peach-producing state. The idea was originated in 1974-1975 by the Gaffney Board of Public Works, which was looking for the right landmark to represent the eastern end of the S.C. Scenic Highway 11. The structure would need to hold a symbolic (or advertising) value while also serving a purpose, and at the time, the town was in great need of a water tower. Federal funding was secured to advance the project, and in October 1979, the Board of Public Works enlisted the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company to build the tower.

World Atlas' 6 most eccentric towns in SC

∎ Bowman

∎ Bishopville

∎ Ridgeway

∎ Yemassee

∎ Gaffney

∎ Camden

Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com.

Last week, the Upstate enjoyed its first snowfall in three years, and made the best of the moment.

Some residents went sledding while others built snowmen with the few inches of snow they had on their lawns.

Now, a cold front is forecast to move into the area next week, with a potential for snow. Although the chance for snow is uncertain, the chance of temperatures dropping remains high, according to Ashley Renhberg with the National Weather Service at GSP.

"So we have a front that's coming through this weekend, and basically what's happening behind it is we have this really strong arctic high pressure system building in," she said. "So that's actually what's bringing in the cold temperatures early next week."

Here's how low temperatures will drop next week.

How cold will next week be in the Upstate?

The coldest days next week will be on Monday and Tuesday, particularly at night. The high on Tuesday will be around 33 degrees, with lows in the mid and to upper teens Monday night and Tuesday night. Single digit wind chills through the teens will occur Monday night due to the cold front's lingering, breezy northwest winds. Wind chills will move into the teens and low 20s Tuesday morning before falling back down to the upper single digits to low teens Wednesday.

What are the chances for snow next week?

The NWS is currently monitoring the potential for snow on Tuesday and Tuesday night, but their confidence in this occurring remains low.

"The models have kind of been flip-flopping back and forth on whether there's going to be enough moisture far enough north for us to see snow," said Renhberg. "Right now, we only have like a chance for that Tuesday into Tuesday night across the South Carolina Upstate. It's like 33% or less at this point."

Forecast heading into next week, per NWS

∎ Saturday: Rain likely before 1 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

∎ Saturday night: A 30% chance of showers, mainly after 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Light and variable wind. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

∎ Sunday: A 30% chance of showers, mainly before 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

∎ Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18.

∎ Monday: Sunny, with a high near 34.

∎ Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 17.

∎ Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 32.

∎ Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 16.

∎ Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

∎ Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.

∎Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 39.

Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com.

South Carolina women's basketball faces its first road test against a ranked opponent in SEC play with a game at No. 19 Alabama on Thursday.

The Gamecocks (16-1, 4-0 SEC) are in the teeth of their SEC schedule, with games against Alabama, Oklahoma LSU and Tennessee in the next two weeks.

Alabama (16-2, 3-1 SEC) won at Ole Miss on Sunday and is second in the SEC in three-point shooting.

Here's how to watch the South Carolina women's basketball vs Alabama game today, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

What channel is South Carolina women's basketball vs Alabama on today?

South Carolina vs. Alabama will broadcast nationally via streaming on SEC Network+, which can be accessed by logging into your cable/streaming subscription that includes the SEC Network.

LAST GAME:How Bree Hall, Sania Feagin were instrumental in South Carolina's win vs Texas, Madison Booker

South Carolina women's basketball vs Alabama time today

The South Carolina women's basketball vs. Alabama game starts at 7 p.m. Thursday from Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa.

South Carolina women's basketball vs Alabama predictions, picks, odds

Greenville News reporter Lulu Kesin's prediction: South Carolina 68, Alabama 52

Alabama keeps things close throughout the first half but South Carolina has a strong third quarter that separates the score.

South Carolina women's basketball schedule 2024-25

Record: 16-1, 4-0 SEC

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