Charleston Weather Blog

Forecast explanations, atmospheric science, and other cool weather-related stuff for Charleston, SC

The week ahead: Below-normal temperatures continue with a brief break in the rain

/ at 11:49 PM

Below-normal temperatures will continue this week as we remain under in the influence of high pressure anchored to the northeast, with showers taking a break for a few days before returning to the forecast for the weekend.

A few lingering showers will be possible Monday morning with a stationary front nearby, though high pressure will continue to nudge that front further and further south, clearing us out for a couple nice days. Mostly cloudy skies keep highs capped to the low 80s on Monday after a mid-60s start, but we should see gradual reduction in cloud cover throughout the day. Tuesday looks to be rather nice, with lows in the mid-60s yielding to highs in the mid-80s under partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies. We’ll start to see the front to our south buckle a little more as low pressure — which is forecast to become Hurricane Francine — moves toward the Louisiana Gulf Coast during the middle of the week. This will net us an uptick in cloud cover and dewpoints for Wednesday, but we’ll get one more rain-free day in.

The high pressure center to our northeast that’ll give us a relatively quiet start to the week will be nudged eastward, which will allow the persistent stationary front to retreat a bit northward. This will bring an uptick in shower chances beginning Thursday and lasting into at least Saturday. It won’t rain all the time, but you’ll want to consider indoor plans as a backup to any outdoor plans. High temperatures will head down a bit with the uptick in cloud cover and showers, with highs in the low 80s expected Thursday and Friday before winds get a little more due-east, bringing some warmer temperatures back to the area for the weekend. Still, though, we stay below mid-September norms, generally running in the mid-80s Saturday and Sunday.

Read more »

Weekend forecast: Cool with showers

/ at 8:11 PM

A showery and cool weekend awaits as a trough remains draped over the eastern US, driving disturbances through the area and keeping temperatures well below normal for this point in the year.

Saturday starts in the low 70s, warming only to the upper 70s for the first time since May under mostly cloudy skies. Shower chances will be highest in the morning and will taper, but not completely cease, during the day. Rainfall amounts should be generally light, though you can never totally rule out a pocket of heavier rain or two.

Sunday’s rain chances will tick up some as the day goes on as another disturbance moves through. It’ll be another cooler-than-normal day, with a pretty seasonable start in the mid-to-upper-60s before highs once again top out in the upper 70s in the afternoon. A rumble of thunder isn’t totally out of the question as the stationary front continues to hang out, but otherwise, just be ready for some showers at times.

Friday & the weekend: Fall-like temperatures incoming, but showers and storms hang around

/ September 5, 2024 at 11:11 PM

A reinforcing shot of cooler air will send temperatures well below normal this weekend, but first we have to get through some elevated rain chances for Friday that linger into Saturday. Friday starts in the low 70s, warming to the mid-80s in the afternoon. Low pressure developing along the front will strafe the area in the afternoon and evening hours, driving rain chances up across the area as it does so. Rain chances peak Friday evening into Saturday morning, though scattered storms will remain possible much of the day Saturday. A trough of low pressure hangs over the area on Sunday, and this keep the risk for a few showers and storms in the forecast especially in the afternoon.

Temperatures will dive even further below normal Saturday and Sunday. Expect highs to only reach about 80° on Saturday, while we may not even crack 80° on Sunday. If the high of 78° verifies, it’d be the coolest high temperature since May 18, when we also reached 78°! Fall will certainly be a bit more in the air, that’s for sure. Temperatures recover back into the low 80s as we get into next week, but remain well below early September normals.

Thursday: Staying breezy and on the cool side with a shower possible

/ September 4, 2024 at 7:15 PM

The wedge of high pressure that’s kept things breezy and cool but largely quiet hangs on for one more day Thursday. We’ll start the day in the low 70s, warming to the mid-80s in the afternoon under a mix of sun and clouds. Breezy conditions with gusts 20-25 MPH will continue to be possible as the pressure gradient stays pinched, and we’ll keep the risk of a shower or two primarily in the afternoon. The best chance for any rain will be closer to the coast, though much of us look to get the day in rain-free.

Read more »

Rest of the work week: A few more clouds, maybe a few showers

/ September 3, 2024 at 7:01 PM

Tuesday ended up being a rather nice day across the area as the low-level cloud cover that was originally anticipated didn’t quite materialize. Unfortunately, that reprieve may not last as the stationary front offshore buckles back toward the coast a bit more starting Wednesday. This should help spread some cloud cover back into the area, though the best shower and storm chances will reside closer to the coast. Northeasterly flow will keep temperatures well in check, with lows in the upper 60s Wednesday followed by low 70s Thursday into Friday. We’ll see highs continue to peak in the mid-80s, which remains a few degrees below normal for this point in the year.

Rain chances will tick up heading into Friday as a little more moisture works back into the area. We’ll see rain chances peak Saturday into Sunday before another front moves by for Monday, which should bring another round of cooler and drier air into the region for next week.