Honestly, if you’re looking at the Myrtle Beach extended forecast right now and expecting a tropical paradise, you’re in for a bit of a reality check. It’s January 2026. The boardwalk is quiet. The air has that sharp, salt-crusted bite that only a Carolina winter can deliver.
Today specifically? It’s kind of a mess.
We’re sitting at 43°F with a "feels like" temp of 37°F thanks to a persistent 11 mph wind coming off the northwest. There’s a 75% chance of light rain hanging over the Grand Strand, and frankly, the sky looks like a wet wool blanket. If you’re here today, Sunday, January 18, the high is only hitting 47°F.
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The Week Ahead: Sun, Clouds, and a Literal Shiver
Most people think South Carolina is always warm. It’s not.
Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, things look up a little. We’ll see the sun. The high should reach 50°F, but don’t let the "sunny" label fool you—the low is dropping to a freezing 31°F at night. Basically, you’ll need a heavy coat the second the sun dips.
The middle of the week is a bit of a rollercoaster:
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, high of 47°F, low of 30°F.
- Wednesday: It gets gray again. Total cloud cover with a high of 54°F.
- Thursday: This is your "warm" day. High of 59°F. It’s the best chance you’ve got for a comfortable walk on the sand without losing feeling in your ears.
But then things get weird. By next weekend—specifically Saturday, January 24, and Sunday, January 25—the forecast is calling for snow. Yes, snow in Myrtle Beach.
Highs will struggle to get past 41°F or 42°F, and the wind is going to kick up to 17 mph from the northeast. We’re looking at a 75% chance of snow by next Sunday. It’s the kind of weather that makes the Atlantic look angry and keeps even the most dedicated locals indoors.
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Why the Myrtle Beach Extended Forecast is Wild This Year
This isn't just a random fluke. Meteorologists have been tracking a La Niña pattern for the 2025-2026 winter season. Typically, La Niña means the South stays drier and warmer, but this year has been a bit of a rebel.
While the NWS Climate Prediction Center originally pointed toward an 81% chance of below-normal rainfall, we’re seeing these weird moisture surges clipping the coast. The "Pacific Warm Blob" and shifts in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) are playing tug-of-war with our temperatures. When that NAO goes negative, it basically opens the freezer door from Canada and lets the arctic air spill right down Highway 17.
Ocean Temps: Don't Even Think About It
If you were planning on a quick dip, maybe stick to the heated indoor pool at the resort.
The sea temperature is hovering around 52°F near Pier 14. That is nearly 17°F colder than the usual average for this time of year. Unless you’re a local surfer in a 4/3mm hooded wetsuit with booties and gloves, the Atlantic is strictly for looking, not touching. The windchill on the beach is making that 43-degree air feel significantly more brutal.
Real Advice for the Next 10 Days
If you're visiting or living here, stop trusting the "sunny" icons on your phone and look at the wind speeds. A 10-mph wind in the summer is a breeze; in January, it’s a blade.
What you actually need to do:
- Layers are everything. You’ll want a windproof shell. The humidity is currently at 92%, which means the cold "soaks" into your clothes.
- Plan for indoor fun. Thursday is your window for Brookgreen Gardens or a round of golf. For the rest of the week, aim for the Hollywood Wax Museum or Ripley’s Aquarium.
- Watch the weekend. If that snow forecast for the 25th holds, the bridges and overpasses in Horry County will get sketchy fast. Southerners and snow don't mix well on the road.
The Myrtle Beach extended forecast shows a gradual cooling trend toward the end of the month, with lows bottoming out around 25°F by Wednesday, January 28. It’s a quiet, cold, and slightly snowy start to the year.
Next Steps: Check the local radar on Friday evening before the weekend system moves in. If the wind direction shifts more to the North, that snow chance for Sunday might actually turn into a dusting on the dunes. Keep your heavy coat handy and maybe skip the sandals for at least another week.