If you’re looking at a 30 day weather forecast for Myrtle Beach South Carolina right now, you’re probably trying to figure out if you need a heavy parka or just a light hoodie.
The coast is tricky.
📖 Related: I-95 North Traffic: What Most People Get Wrong
Honestly, most of those automated weather apps are kind of useless when you're looking four weeks out. They give you these generic "partly cloudy" icons that don't tell the real story of the Grand Strand in mid-winter. Right now, as we move through late January and head into February 2026, the weather is doing that weird South Carolina dance where one day feels like a crisp autumn morning and the next feels like a genuine refrigerator.
The Reality of the Next 30 Days
We’re currently seeing a bit of a split personality in the atmosphere. For the rest of January, expect the mercury to hang out in the low-to-mid 50s for your daytime highs.
It’s chilly. Not "frozen tundra" chilly, but enough that the wind coming off the Atlantic will bite right through a thin shirt.
The nights are the real kicker. We’re looking at lows dipping down into the 30s (about 1°C to 4°C) quite often. If you’re staying oceanfront, that damp salt air makes 38 degrees feel significantly colder than it does inland.
What the models are saying for February
By the time we hit the first and second week of February, things usually start to shift. Historically, February in Myrtle Beach actually sees a slight bump in temperature, but it’s also when the "storm track" likes to get active.
- Early February: Expect a few more "washout" days. We’re looking at a 25-28% chance of rain on any given day.
- Mid-February: This is the sweet spot for a "false spring." Don't be surprised if we see a random 68-degree day followed immediately by a frost.
- The Wind Factor: January and February are some of our windiest months. Average speeds hover around 15 mph, but gusts at the end of the piers can easily double that.
Why You Shouldn't Trust the "Sun" Icons
People see a sun icon on a 30-day outlook and think "beach day."
Stop.
The ocean temperature right now is sitting somewhere around 51°F to 53°F. To put that in perspective, that is "hypothermia in minutes" territory for most people. Unless you’re a local surfer in a 4/3mm hooded wetsuit with booties and gloves, you aren't going in that water.
The sun is great for walking the boardwalk or hunting for shark teeth, but the "beach" part of Myrtle Beach is mostly for looking, not touching, this time of year.
The Rain vs. Grey Skies Dilemma
January in South Carolina isn't actually our wettest month—that's usually August or September during hurricane season. However, it is one of our cloudiest.
We’re looking at about 48-50% cloud cover for the next 30 days. It's that flat, grey, Atlantic overcast that makes the neon signs at Broadway at the Beach look extra bright. On the bright side, when the sun does break through, the UV index is low (around a 2 or 3), so you won't fry, but you'll definitely want your sunglasses because of the glare off the white sand.
Is snow even a possibility?
Look, it’s rare. Like, "everyone forgets how to drive and the grocery stores run out of milk in ten minutes" rare.
While the 30 day weather forecast for Myrtle Beach South Carolina doesn't currently show any major wintry precipitation, late January is historically when it would happen if it were going to. In 2026, the patterns suggest we might see some "ice pellets" or a stray flurry if a cold front timing aligns with a coastal low, but don't count on building a snowman on the sand.
Practical Packing: Don't Be That Tourist
I see it every year. Someone hops off a plane from Ohio in shorts because they saw "South Carolina" on the map.
They end up buying a $60 overpriced sweatshirt at a gift shop within two hours.
The Layering Strategy:
Basically, you need a "base, mid, and shell" setup. A t-shirt for when you're inside a heated restaurant, a fleece or sweater for walking around, and a windbreaker for the beach.
Footwear Matters:
Flip-flops are fine for the hotel pool area (if it's heated!), but for everything else, bring closed-toe shoes. Your toes will go numb in three minutes if you try to walk the shoreline in sandals when that 15mph North wind is blowing.
What to Actually Do When It's 45 Degrees
The best part about this 30-day window? No crowds.
📖 Related: Noah's Ark Pictures Turkey: What Most People Get Wrong
You can walk into almost any restaurant—Sea Captain’s House, Peaches Corner, you name it—and get a table immediately.
- Indoor Attractions: This is the time for Ripley’s Aquarium or the Hollywood Wax Museum. They’re climate-controlled and much more enjoyable without 10,000 other people.
- Golfing: Believe it or not, golfers love this weather. As long as it’s not raining, a 55-degree day is perfect for 18 holes. Just wear a wind-resistant vest.
- State Parks: Myrtle Beach State Park is hauntingly beautiful in the winter. The maritime forest blocks some of the wind, and the trails are silent.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
Stop checking the daily forecast every hour; it’s going to change. Instead, focus on the trends.
If you’re coming in the next 30 days, book a room with an indoor pool. Most of the major resorts like Dunes Village or the Caribbean have massive indoor water parks. It’s the only way you’re getting in the water without a death wish.
Check the "RealFeel" rather than the actual temperature. A 50-degree day with a 20mph wind feels like 40. Plan your outdoor activities for between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM when the sun is highest. After 4:30 PM, the temperature drops like a rock.
Lastly, keep an eye on the local marine forecasts. If you see a "Small Craft Advisory," stay off the piers. The wind gusts can be legitimately dangerous for kids or anyone not steady on their feet. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the off-season—it’s the Grand Strand’s best-kept secret.