If you’ve lived around here long enough, you know the thermometer is basically a liar. You wake up, check the app, see 43°F, and think a light jacket will do. Then you step outside and that northwest wind hits you like a personal insult.
Honestly, the hourly weather Aiken SC provides is more of a suggestion than a rule. Today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, we’re looking at a high of 44°F, but with 11 mph winds coming off the northwest, it’s going to feel like 37°F for most of the afternoon. If you’re heading out to Bruce’s Field or just walking the dog through Hopelands Gardens, that six-degree gap is the difference between "crisp" and "I can't feel my ears."
The Afternoon Dip and the 21-Degree Cliff
The sun is out, which is great. It’s mostly sunny with a UV index of about 2 or 3, so you aren't going to get a tan, but the Vitamin D is a nice consolation prize for the cold. But here is the thing: as soon as that sun dips, the floor drops out.
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We’re heading toward a low of 21°F tonight.
That’s a 23-degree swing. If you’re planning on being out late—maybe grabbing a drink at The Willcox—you’ve gotta dress for two different seasons. The humidity is sitting low at 33%, which is why the air feels so biting. Dry air doesn't hold heat. It just lets it escape into the atmosphere the second the sun goes down.
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Why the Wind Direction Changes Everything
Most people just look at the speed, but the "from northwest" part of the hourly weather Aiken SC report is the real culprit today. In the South, a south wind brings that swampy warmth we all complain about in July. A northwest wind? That’s straight-shot Canadian air coming down the Appalachian corridor.
- Current Wind Speed: 11 mph (Northwest)
- Forecasted Gusts: Up to 13 mph later today
- Precipitation: Basically zero (only a 5% chance of a stray flurry, but don't hold your breath for a snow day).
Survival Guide for an Aiken Winter Day
Don't let the "sunny" icon fool you into leaving your heavy coat at home. Since the humidity is so low (33% right now, though it might creep up to 38% by tonight), your skin is going to feel it.
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I’ve seen people try to tough it out in hoodies because "it's South Carolina," and by 5:00 PM, they're shivering. Basically, you want layers that block the wind. Wool is your friend today. If you're working with horses or spending time at the training track, keep in mind that the wind chill is going to be significantly lower in open fields than it is downtown between the brick buildings.
What to Expect Hour-by-Hour
Usually, we hit our peak temperature around 3:00 PM. Today, that peak is a modest 44°F. By the time 6:00 PM rolls around, we’ll already be sliding into the 30s. If you have sensitive plants or haven't unhooked your garden hoses yet, tonight is the night to do it. 21°F is well into the "pipe-bursting" danger zone if things aren't protected.
Actionable Steps for Today
Look, the weather is predictable if you know what to watch for. Stop looking at the big number and start looking at the "Feels Like" and the wind.
- Layer for the 5:00 PM transition. The temperature will drop faster than you think once the sun hits the horizon.
- Hydrate your skin. Low humidity plus wind is a recipe for chapped everything.
- Check the pipes. With a low of 21°F, make sure your outdoor spigots are covered.
- Pet safety. If it's too cold for you to stand outside in a t-shirt for ten minutes, it's too cold for the pups to be out all night.
Aiken is beautiful in the winter, especially with the clear blue skies we’ve got today, but it’s a dry, windy kind of cold. Dress for the wind, watch the sunset, and get inside before that 21-degree low catches you off guard.