Jared Smith founded @chswx on Twitter in 2008 as an experiment in disseminating weather data through social media. In the ensuing decade-and-a-half, @chswx has provided live coverage of tropical cyclones, tornadoes, severe weather, and even a couple bouts of winter weather to the good people of Charleston, SC.
After a brief return to winter, more very spring-like (and unsettled) weather returns to the forecast for this week. Much of the work week will feature at least a chance of showers each day, with the potential for a few thunderstorms Tuesday as well as Thursday. Another front will clear the area Friday, cooling us off for a brief period before the potential for another disturbance on Sunday. Good news is that it does look like that we’ll squeeze in some decent weather for SEWE. Temperatures will remain well above-normal, with 70s in store starting Monday through Thursday.
Severe weather timing graphic from the latest NWS briefing.
We in #chswx continue to monitor the potential for severe storms this evening as a strong cold front, aided by plentiful upper-level energy, pushes its way toward the coast with the potential for damaging winds and even a tornado or two.
As advertised for the last several days, a severe weather event is possible primarily late this afternoon into tonight as a strong cold front drives a squall line through the area. This line could pack damaging wind gusts, with the potential for a tornado or two on the leading edge of the line.
We in the Charleston weather community continue to watch Thursday evening and overnight carefully for the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging straight-line winds and perhaps a tornado or two as a cold front pushes eastward.
The weather story this week is early spring, and not just because Punxsutawney Phil said so. (And can one truly call it an early spring if winter hasn’t really been much of a factor?) Much of the week will be punctuated by temperatures in the low 70s as our lack-of-winter continues thanks to a rather high-latitude jet stream keeping Arctic air locked in to the north.
With this warmth, though, comes the specter of severe storms, and it appears there is some potential for this on Thursday as a cold front approaches the area.
Not snow. Source: SurfChex camera at The Tides on Folly Beach.
Well, last night was certainly interesting, if nothing else, as false alarms from weather apps and a questionable view from a webcam stirred Charleston into a brief snow frenzy that ultimately did not pan out.
Are y’all ready to chill out a little? We’ll start the week with temperatures well below normal as an Arctic airmass takes hold across the Lowcountry. Freezing temperatures will be possible inland of 17 Monday morning with highs only topping out in the mid-40s. A more widespread freeze is forecasted Tuesday and Wednesday, with the potential for freezing conditions all the way into downtown Charleston. Be ready to bring in pets and sensitive plants.
As we get into the second half of the week, temperatures will begin to moderate. Thursday will approach 60°, and Friday will be much warmer as a cold front approaches the area with showers coming alongside it. Showers will gradually clear out Saturday, and by Sunday, we’ll have fewer clouds and temperatures back to near-normal levels for late January.
For the first time in a week, there are no 70s in the forecast — that’s courtesy of a cold front that’s swung through the area this evening, finally knocking us back toward weather that feels much more in line with where we are on the calendar. Temperatures on Friday will not get out of the 50s in the afternoon despite mostly sunny skies. As another cold front approaches the area, we’ll see temperatures warm back to the 60s with shower chances Saturday and Sunday. As we get into next week, temperatures will really plunge, with freezing temperatures expected for the first time since December 20. Hope you haven’t misplaced your jackets!
Our stretch of very warm temperatures continues into Thursday, but changes in the pattern are afoot that will show winter reasserting itself especially as we get into next week.
Sea fog (outlined) on the GOES-East visible image a little after 4PM.
With our stretch of ridiculously warm temperatures — the high so far today is 77° — comes the risk for sea fog development as the warmer air heads over much cooler water (~60°). As winds slacken tonight, we should see the fog close in on coastal communities (including downtown Charleston and perhaps beyond). Be ready for commute disruptions tomorrow morning due to dense fog; a Dense Fog Advisory is in effect until 9am for Charleston County as well as portions of Berkeley County in the tidal zone (think Daniel Island).
