After highs topped out in the mid-90s on Sunday, we’ll see temperatures back down a little bit toward normal heading into the upcoming work week as a front crosses through and stalls out nearby, potentially bringing a somewhat unsettled Monday. Showers and thunderstorms could be in the area during the morning hours, but the better chance for rain arrives in the afternoon and evening as more forcing arrives. Temperatures start in the mid-70s, heading to around 90° under a mix of sun and clouds.

We’ve got quite a warm weekend ahead with plenty of sunshine. Thankfully, humidity will not play a major role as dewpoints mix out to the 50s on Saturday and the low 60s on Sunday. In fact, Saturday could be one of those days where the heat index is actually lower than the air temperature at times as relative humidity values will head down to around 35% during the height of the afternoon.

Sunday may end up as the hottest day thus far in 2024. The forecast high of 98°, if it verifies, would be the warmest day since August 14, 2023, when it was also 98°. Thankfully, we’ll keep dewpoints in the low 60s, which will keep heat indices below 100°. Still, 98° is plenty, plenty hot — if you’ll be outside, make sure you’re taking breaks and staying hydrated. Don’t forget the sunscreen, too, especially if you’re headed to the beach — it’s prime UV season, after all.

Despite the heat, thunderstorm chances will be nil — just too much dry, sinking air for afternoon thunderstorms (much less a robust cumulus field!) to develop. The next rain chances arrive Monday, and we could stay somewhat unsettled heading into next week as a front stalls out nearby.

Mother Nature will come out throwing heat this weekend — thankfully coming along with lower dewpoints than we typically see in summertime. A “cold” front swings through during the day Friday, and while the airmass will trend drier, it’ll still be quite warm — highs in the mid-90s are expected. Thankfully, the drier air keeps heat indices within a degree or two of the air temperature. Sunshine will be in abundance, with the dry, sinking air keeping cloud cover at a minimum.

We’ll keep this going into the weekend. Saturday will be the “cooler” of the two days, but still plenty warm with highs reaching the low to mid-90s under mostly sunny skies. Sunday turns a little warmer and a touch more humid, with highs solidly in the mid-90s under mostly sunny skies once again. The next shower or thunderstorm chance arrives Monday afternoon as dewpoints continue to climb heading into next week.

Scattered thunderstorms return to the forecast on Wednesday afternoon, once again focusing inland along and ahead of the seabreeze. It’ll be another mild start around 70°, warming to near 90° in the afternoon. Dewpoints around 70° will help drive heat indices to around the low to mid-90s.

Thunderstorm chances peak Thursday ahead of a cold front. Expect scattered to numerous storms to develop ahead of the seabreeze first as temperatures head to the mid-90s with dewpoints in the low 70s. Heat indices should crack 100° in the afternoon, so if you have outdoor plans, be ready to move those indoors. Thunderstorm chances will approach the coast later Thursday evening into the overnight as the front draws closer, and a stronger storm or two can’t be totally discounted. Be alert to quickly changing conditions if your Thursday night includes some out and about time.

The front clears the area Friday. It won’t get cooler, but the dewpoints will be dropping throughout the day, so while highs top out in the mid-90s once again, we shouldn’t see the heat indices we saw on Thursday. A stray storm might be possible in the afternoon, but all in all we should see plenty of sunshine and a rain-free day for many.

Warm and muggy conditions can be expected for the rest of the work week, with some periods of thunderstorms possible especially Wednesday and Thursday.

Tuesday starts around 70° and warms to near 90° in the afternoon. A few thunderstorms will be possible, particularly further inland near the I-95 corridor. Not everyone will see storms, and the Charleston metro area in particular should be clear of any unsettled weather by evening in the wake of the seabreeze.

Disturbances aloft working with ample instability will maximize shower and thunderstorm chances Wednesday and Thursday. The best risk for storms will be during the afternoon and evening hours. Severe weather isn’t expected, though storms could pack some gusty winds where outflow boundaries collide. Temperatures Wednesday top out once again near 90°, while we turn even warmer on Thursday with highs in the low to mid-90s. Given dewpoints in the low 70s, we could get close to heat indices around 100°.

A front approaches the area on Friday, but drier air will be working its way in, so while temperatures will be similar to Thursday (low to mid-90s), dewpoints will be trending lower. This should also keep the thunderstorm risk a little more at bay, leading into a generally quiet weekend.

Humidity continues its slow climb on Sunday as onshore flow from the Atlantic gradually sends dewpoints higher. Most of us should stay rain-free, though some guidance does show the potential for a few showers to brush coastal areas in the morning. There’s also the risk for a few popup storms generally near I-95 in the afternoon, but the vast majority of the Charleston metro stays rain-free.

Temperatures head to the mid-80s after a mid-60s start. As alluded to earlier, dewpoints will continue to creep upward, generally remaining in the low 60s. This’ll yield relative humidity values generally in the 45-50% range — still far from horrendous, but you might notice a little more sweat.