Get your wish list ready. One of the strongest meteor showers of the year is coming up later this month and you'll want to take advantage of the "make a wish on a shooting star" rule of thumb.
On average, the Lyrids Meteor Shower produces about 20 very strong meteors per hour, but the show lasts for 11 nights. And during the peak, that number could escalate even higher.
Optimal viewing times each night are between midnight and dawn.
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The best place in South Carolina to spot the meteors is from anywhere that's not polluted with light or blocked by obstructions.
The peak in 2021 is set to coincide with Earth Day, on April 22nd.
So plan an activity observing Earth Day during the day, and then throw a blanket down somewhere and watch the celestial show after midnight.
The first reported and the most prolific Lyrids Meteor Shower dates all the way back to 687 B.C.
During that first Lyrids shower, some reports said the sky was so bright with meteors that fixed stars became invisible. Let's hope for a repeat performance this year!
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The good news? Lyrids is visible to the naked eye so you won't need a high-powered telescope to watch the action.
Mark you calendar twice: once with the dates of the full series (April 16-26) and once with the peak night: April 22nd.
Do you love setting aside some special time and changing your normal routine to include going outside in the middle of the night for celestial events like meteor showers? When was the last time you saw a shooting star? Sound off in the comments!
As the fall begins and we look towards the holiday season and end of the year, one of the biggest questions at the forefront of everyone's minds is "What is this year's winter weather in South Carolina going to be like?" The nice thing about living in the southeastern area of the country is that generally speaking, our winters are usually mild. Yet, you might be surprised about the Farmers' Almanac 2024 winter in South Carolina predictions. Get ready folks, we’re in for a cooler and wetter-than-normal winter in South Carolina this year!
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Some folks might be skeptical about the Farmers’ Almanac winter forecast in South Carolina. But rest assured, the almanac has been predicting winter weather since 1792 and with a high level of accuracy - 80 percent to be exact. Of course, at any given time, Mother Nature can throw a weather curveball, so the almanac doesn’t always guarantee its predictions. The forecast is based on certain astrological events, meteorological conditions, and weather patterns, as well as mathematical calculations, so the science behind these predictions is pretty solid.
The 2024-2025 winter weather predictions in South Carolina forecast cooler-than-normal temps in the east and warmer-than-normal temps in the western part of the state. Plus, there will be more precipitation than normal, too. So, if you don't have a good umbrella, it would be a good idea to invest in one to use in the coming winter months. South Carolinians know that the word precipitation during the winter usually means rain for most of the state since our temps don't usually reach levels that facilitate extreme icy conditions. This is great news for all our kiddos who love splashing in the puddles! If you're a hiker, you're definitely going to want to break out the rain boots and prepare for muddy conditions on our enchanting winter trails.
Winter will officially begin with mild temperatures on December 21, however, you can expect frosty conditions as early as late November, and again in late January and late February. Of course, the million-dollar question for those considering the Farmers' Almanac predictions for the season always seems to be: What are the chances for snow this year or for a white Christmas? Unfortunately, we’re out of luck for a snowy holiday season. In fact, we won’t see snow in South Carolina until around late January and February.
And even with the best attempts at predictions from the experts, it really just all boils down to whether or not there will be precipitation during a colder spell. Overall, throughout the season, cooler temperatures are expected, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Despite little snow, there are some opportunities for beautiful nature scenes after the rain! Rainbows are the more common post-storm sight and there should be plenty of opportunities to see these beautiful shows throughout this year's winter.
Thinking about options for a winter getaway in South Carolina? From the mountains to the coast, we have a variety of wonderful opportunities depending on what you're looking for. Check out our top recommendations for winter fun in South Carolina and create your winter bucket list for this year. And don't forget to stock up on your cold weather essentials — you're going to need them for the weather we're expecting this season.
Are you in the "I'd like to see at least one good snow" or the "I don't want to see a single flake" camp? Or perhaps somewhere in between? Please let us know! Also, share your thoughts about the Farmers' Almanac 2024 winter in South Carolina predictions.
South Carolina may never rank as a top ten place to view fall foliage, but that doesn’t mean our state doesn’t get some beautiful autumn color. In fact, each year as the fall season approaches many wonder: When do leaves change color in South Carolina? And if you’ve ever felt that our state got a raw deal when it comes to pretty, colorful leaves during the fall, you may change your mind after seeing our suggestions for the best times and places to go leaf-looking around here, as shown on the South Carolina fall foliage map 2024:
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As you can see from the map when you change the date, the colors of fall in South Carolina are expected to reach their peak by the end of October and into the early days of November. The best places to view the colors of fall in South Carolina really depends on what type of scenery you prefer.
If you're at a higher elevation such as in the mountains, you're able to see vibrant foliage for miles! One interesting vantage point to see fall colors in South Carolina is from a suspension bridge like this one along the Gum Gap Trail in Caesar's Head State Park, located in Cleveland within the area predicted to peak around the middle of October.Another trail within this state park, Dismal Trail Loop, was named by Travel + Leisure as a best hike in North America for fall.
There's something about beautiful autumn color framing water features, like with this waterfall in Table Rock State Park in Pickens, another location for your mid-October leaf-looking adventures.
The Fred W. Symmes Chapel, known as Pretty Place because of its incredible views, is a wonderful fall foliage viewing spot in South Carolina. A part of YMCA Camp Greenville, located in Cleveland, be sure to check the visitation schedule before visiting to ensure it's open to the public during the time of your visit.
Located in Landrum, Campbells Covered Bridge is the only covered bridge remaining in South Carolina. You'll see the best fall color at this spot around the middle of October. This expansive view comes from Jumping Off Rock Overlook in Sunset, which is predicted to peak around the same time.
For this gorgeous fall scene, you'll need to visit Jones Gap State Park in Marietta around Halloween...
Issaqueena Falls, a 100-foot cascade waterfall in Walhalla, makes for one of the most picturesque fall landscapes in South Carolina and it's even more beautiful surrounded by fall foliage! Prefer a serene lake scene? Lake Jocassee's undeveloped shoreline makes another postcard-worthy fall sight that looks like it will be best seen about the third week of October.
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Predicting what nature will do is a difficult task and is successful at times, while others not so much. Time will tell how good these predictions are! We do hope the information is helpful as you plan out your fall foliage adventures for this year.
What is your favorite South Carolina spot for viewing fall foliage?