White Christmases in Beaufort District's Recorded History

Snowstorms do not happen very often in Beaufort County, SC. Beaufort County has experienced several “firsts” and “mosts” when it comes to inclement winter weather. The most snowfall in a 24-hour period was 5 inches on December 23, 1989. This snow stuck around in spots to give Beaufort County a White Christmas.  

Holiday travel was definitely impacted with the area airports closing. Though the weather turned sunny on Christmas Eve the temperatures remained low. The Highway Department and Sheriff’s Office were kept quite busy handling vehicle accidents and helping stranded motorists. Palmetto Electric Cooperative reported a record demand for electricity which overloaded the system.  

Island Packet, December 24, 1989, p. 5-A

However,  1989 was not Beaufort County’s first recorded White Christmas.  That distinction goes to plantation owner, Thomas B. Chaplin, who recorded a cold and frosty holiday in 1853 in his journal:  

Dec. 25th. Sunday. Christmas Day. The ground is covered with snow this morning but not thick, trees covered icicles. Clear but bitter cold. Saxby & I rode up to Farmer's. Took him up & went on to Minott's. We all returned & dined with Mother. She had a very fine dinner, too much in fact. (I hear that the snow or sleet & cold weather extended to the Island.)

While "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas," odds are that we will not get one this year.

Saturday, December 21 is the last day that the Beaufort Railroaders will have their model trains on display at Beaufort Branch. You don't want to miss that annual event!

Snow or no, all units of the Beaufort County Library will be closed Monday, December 23rd through Wednesday, December 25th this week.  Other schedule adjustments coming soon:

On Thursday, December 26, 2019 and Friday, December 27, 2019 the Research Room will be closed from Noon to 1 PM for Staff lunchtime. Kristi will be on hand to assist researchers 9 AM to Noon and again from 1 pm to 5 pm on both days.



Looking ahead to next week: The Beaufort District Collection will be open regular hours on December 30 and December 31st but we will be closed - as will all units of the Beaufort County Library -- on January 1, 2020. Regular hours should resume at all locations on Thursday, January 2, 2020.


We trust that everyone will have a safe and enjoyable Holiday season with family and friends.