You're probably looking at a calendar and wondering if the Grand Strand is a ghost town right now. It isn't. But if you’re planning a trip based on a generic 30 day forecast for myrtle beach, you might be packing the wrong suitcase.
January and February in South Carolina are weird. One day you’re walking the boardwalk in a light hoodie, and the next, a "Carolina Clipper" sends temperatures plummeting toward freezing. It’s a gamble, sure. But honestly, it’s the best time to see the coast without the claustrophobia of July.
The Reality of the 30 Day Forecast for Myrtle Beach
Right now, we are looking at a classic "split personality" winter. According to current data from the National Weather Service and long-range outlooks, the next 30 days are trending slightly colder than our usual averages.
We’re seeing a pattern where daytime highs struggle to hit 57°F, which is the historical norm for January. Instead, expect a lot of days stuck in the high 40s or low 50s. If you’re coming from Ohio or Ontario, that sounds like a tropical heatwave. To us locals? It's "break out the heavy parka" weather.
Rainfall is actually expected to be lower than average for the rest of the month. This is great news for golfers. You might deal with a frost delay at 7:00 AM at Barefoot Resort or TPC Myrtle Beach, but once the sun burns through the morning mist, the sky is usually that piercing, crystal-clear blue you only get in winter.
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What the numbers actually look like:
Late January is looking dry but chilly. We’ve got a cold snap projected around January 25-29, where overnight lows could dip into the 20s. If you're staying in an oceanfront condo, the wind off the Atlantic makes that feel significantly sharper.
Moving into early February, things shift. The Farmer’s Almanac and NOAA's latest models suggest a "warmer and wetter" transition. By the second week of February, we should see those highs climbing back into the 60s. It’s perfect for the Oysters & Art Festival on February 7, provided you don't mind a stray shower.
Can You Actually Go in the Water?
Basically, no. Unless you’re a polar bear or have a very thick 4/3mm wetsuit.
The current sea surface temperature at Pier 14 is hovering around 54°F. That is dangerously cold for casual swimming. Even the surfers are currently decked out in full neoprene—hoods, gloves, and booties included.
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However, the beach itself is incredible this time of year. Because the air is drier, the visibility is endless. You can see the Apache Pier from miles away. Plus, the winter storms tend to churn up the ocean floor, making this the absolute peak time for finding shark teeth and massive whelk shells that haven't been picked over by a thousand tourists yet.
What’s Still Open (and What Isn't)
People think the beach closes in winter. That's a myth. While some of the smaller ice cream shacks or "beach wear" shops might have boards on the windows, the heavy hitters are wide open.
- The SkyWheel: It’s open daily. The gondolas are climate-controlled, so you get the 200-foot view without the 15-mph wind chill.
- Broadway at the Beach: Ripley’s Aquarium and WonderWorks are running full schedules. In fact, January is "Homeschool Days" at WonderWorks, meaning it’s actually busier on weekdays than you’d expect.
- The MarshWalk: Over in Murrells Inlet, the restaurants are very much alive. It’s oyster season. If you haven't had a local "cluster" oyster roast in 50-degree weather with a fire pit going, you haven't lived.
The "Secret" Perks of a Winter Visit
Everything is cheaper. Seriously.
You can snag an oceanfront suite for a third of the price of a June booking. Restaurant Week South Carolina runs through January 18, and it’s the only time you’ll get a table at the high-end spots like Sea Blue or 21 Main without a week-long wait.
The traffic on Highway 17 is also nonexistent. You can actually drive from North Myrtle to the South End in twenty minutes. In July, that same drive takes forty-five minutes and three existential crises.
Actionable Tips for Your 30-Day Outlook
If you are heading down between now and mid-February, follow these steps:
Layer like a pro. The temperature swings are wild. It can be 35°F at sunrise and 62°F by 2:00 PM. A windbreaker over a fleece is the standard "local" uniform.
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Book indoor backups. If the forecast shows a "coastal low" (our version of a winter storm), have a plan for the Hollywood Wax Museum or a show at the Alabama Theatre. The Beach Boys are actually playing there on January 24—nothing beats the winter blues like 1960s summer vibes.
Check the wind, not just the temp. A 55-degree day with no wind is beautiful for golf. A 55-degree day with a 20-mph north wind is miserable. Use a granular app like Windy or PredictWind rather than just checking the "feel like" temp on a basic weather app.
Look for the "Snowbird" deals. Many local spots offer month-long rentals or deep discounts for stays longer than three days in January. If you see a sunny 30 day forecast for myrtle beach, take advantage of the empty sand before the spring break crowds arrive in March.