Snow coming this time – really

Snow and ice are rare at Claflin University in subtropical Orangeburg, South Carolina. On Jan. 22, 2025, up to 3 inches of snow and ice fell on the campus. The winter storm forced schedule changes and class cancellations from Wednesday-Friday as cold temperatures kept the wintry mix around for several days, making for hazardous travel (walking too) conditions. (Panther photo by Jayla Odom)

Claflin University students have mixed feelings about the snowstorm expected this weekend, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2026.

Initially, a similar storm was supposed to arrive last weekend, but it did not. Now that it is predicted again, many students think it will be severe, while some believe it won't be so bad.

The National Weather Service predicts 3-6 inches of snow for Orangeburg on Saturday with temperatures overnight into Sunday dipping into the teens.

Some students are worried because snow is rare in the area, and it can make travel unsafe. 

Jada Thompson, a sophomore majoring in criminal justice, is preparing just in case the storm worsens.

“I think it’s going to be worse than people think because the weather keeps changing,” Thompson said.

“I’m staying inside and not driving anywhere if I don’t have to,” Thompson said about the coming weekend.

Other students agreed and expressed concerns about classes, power outages and safety on campus. 

Marcus Green, a junior biology major, said, “I don’t think the school or the city is really ready for snow like this.” 

Green said, “I’m worried about icy roads and people trying to drive when they shouldn’t.” 

However, not all students feel the same. Some think the storm is getting too much attention and won't be that bad. 

Aaliyah Brown, a freshman majoring in psychology, said she is not very concerned. “I feel like it’s just going to be a little snow and that’s it,” Brown said. 

“They said it was coming last weekend and nothing happened, so I don’t think it will be serious.” 

Students who aren't worried say they plan to proceed with their weekend as usual unless the weather worsens. 

Despite different opinions, most Claflin students agree it's better to be safe than sorry. As the weekend approaches, students are paying close attention to the weather and hoping the storm doesn’t create major issues on campus.