Honestly, if you’re looking at the current weather in Myrtle Beach today, Friday, January 16, 2026, and expecting a tropical paradise, you might want to grab a hoodie. Or maybe a heavy coat. It’s sunny, sure, but that bright Carolina blue sky is a bit of a trickster right now.
We’re sitting at a crisp 43°F.
It feels more like 37°F though. That's the "real feel" talking, thanks to a south wind kicking up at about 11 mph. It’s that specific kind of coastal chill that bites a little harder because of the humidity, which is currently hovering around 41%.
The Reality of the Current Weather in Myrtle Beach
People think South Carolina is always warm. It isn't. Not in January. Today’s high is only hitting 44°F, and tonight is going to be a legitimate floor-heater kind of night with a low of 24°F.
If you're out on the Boardwalk right now, it's gorgeous for photos—zero clouds, total sunshine—but you aren't exactly sunbathing.
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What to Expect This Weekend
Things are actually about to get weirdly better before they get soggy. If you’re sticking around, Saturday is the "unicorn" day of the week. We’re looking at a jump all the way up to 61°F. That’s basically a 17-degree swing in 24 hours. Classic East Coast mood swings.
But don't get too comfortable.
Sunday brings a 70% chance of rain and the temperature drops back down to the mid-40s. Basically, if you want to walk the beach without shivering, Saturday afternoon is your only window.
The "January Lull" and the Ocean Temp
The water? Yeah, don't.
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The ocean temperature is hanging out around 48°F to 54°F depending on which buoy you trust. Even the surfers are out there in full 4/3mm hooded wetsuits with booties and gloves. Without gear, you’ve got maybe a few minutes before hypothermia starts knocking.
Is anything actually happening?
Believe it or not, this is actually a great time to be here if you hate crowds. Restaurant Week is in full swing (running through January 18), so you can hit places like Hook & Barrel or Sea Captain's House without a two-hour wait.
Plus, Larry The Cable Guy is at the Alabama Theatre tonight. Whether that's your thing or not, it's indoors. And indoors is where you want to be when it's 37 degrees with a sea breeze.
- Today: High 44°F, Low 24°F (Sunny)
- Saturday: High 61°F (The "Beach Walk" Day)
- Sunday: Rain, High 46°F (The "Museum" Day)
Surviving the Cold Snap
If you’re visiting, layer up. The sun makes it feel okay until you hit a shadow or a wind gust between the hotels.
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For the locals, keep an eye on your pipes tonight since we're dipping well below freezing at 24°F. It’s not a blizzard, but it’s enough to make the tropical plants on your porch very unhappy.
Basically, the current weather in Myrtle Beach is a reminder that winter exists even in the Palmetto State. It's quiet, it's pretty, and it's very, very chilly.
Your Next Steps for a Cold Myrtle Beach Day:
- Check the Wind: If the wind is over 15 mph, stay off the actual sand; the blowing grit is no joke in the winter.
- Indoor Alternatives: Head to Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach or the SkyWheel (the gondolas are climate-controlled!).
- Saturday Planning: Move all your outdoor activities (mini-golf, pier walking) to Saturday between 12 PM and 4 PM to catch that 60-degree peak.
- Dinner Reservations: Since it’s Restaurant Week, the good spots will fill up fast despite the cold.