Charleston Weather Blog

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

Sunday’s forecast: Morning coastal flooding, then evening showers

/ November 25, 2023 at 8:19 PM

Sunday will feature more in the way of cloud cover as another disturbance affects the area. High pressure wedging southward will help keep things on the cool side as northeasterly winds continue to blow into the area. We start the day in the mid-40s and may not reach 60° in the afternoon thanks to the cloud cover. We should stay rain-free for the morning through early afternoon; from there, showers may begin to develop and move across the area. The best chance for showers will be in the evening as low pressure to the south makes the closest approach. Rainfall should generally be on the light side, but a few pockets of heavier rain certainly can’t be ruled out. Rain should clear the area by Monday morning as high pressure builds back into the area.

The other weather concern for Sunday will arrive early in the morning in the form of coastal flooding. Favorable northeasterly winds and astronomical effects the upcoming full moon will drive water levels into minor to possibly moderate flood stage around the 6:44am high tide Sunday. Salt water may close some roads as water levels approach 7.4-7.6′. If you have early-morning travel plans around the edges of the downtown peninsula, especially on the west side, prepare to reroute around flooded and closed roads.

Weekend forecast: Cool, with showers returning late Sunday

/ at 7:10 PM

We’ll stay chilly over the weekend as high pressure wedges south into the area, keeping north and northeast winds in place throughout. Temperatures Saturday generally start in the mid-40s before warming to just the low 60s in the afternoon under partly cloudy skies, with clouds increasing as we get later in the day as another disturbance starts to draw closer. Increased cloud cover with the wedge hanging on tight will keep temperatures from getting too far above 60° in the afternoon on Sunday. We should get the daylight hours in rain-free, with showers on the increase as the aforementioned disturbance and associated surface low pass by overnight into early Monday.

The main weather concern will be the risk for coastal flooding early each morning this weekend thanks to the upcoming full moon and northeasterly winds, which are very favorable for piling up water in our neck of the woods. The water level forecast has increased for Charleston Harbor Saturday morning, and we now could look at 7.3-7.5′ with high tide around 6am, capable of closing some roads. Expect a repeat around Sunday morning’s 6:46am high tide as northeasterly winds persist, with water levels likely high enough to produce moderate coastal flooding (7.5-7.7′). Stay tuned for possible Coastal Flood Advisories from the National Weather Service.

Friday & the weekend: A few showers give way to generally quiet and cool weather

/ November 23, 2023 at 9:55 PM

We’ll get Black Friday off to a bit of a cloudy and perhaps showery start as a disturbance ripples through the area, kicking up some patchy rains for a few hours Friday morning. From there, rain will depart and clouds will gradually break some, and we should end the day with some sunshine. We start Friday in the upper 40s and warm to the low 60s.

High pressure wedging southward will keep Saturday on the cool side under a mix of sun and clouds. Temperatures start in the mid-40s but may not crack 60° in the afternoon given the cool high pressure wedging into place. Sunday will represent the coolest start of the set with lows in the low 40s expected. However, we’ll warm to the low 60s in the afternoon as the wedge begins to weaken in advance of another disturbance for Monday. Still, high temperatures will run on the cool side of normal, so sweaters may be advisable.

Coastal flooding could be an issue Saturday and Sunday mornings. Water levels around the 6am high tide Saturday could reach 7.2′, while moderate coastal flooding is possible with Sunday morning’s 6:46am high tide as water levels could peak between 7.6-7.8′. We’re approaching a full moon on Monday, but the bigger driver of coastal flooding will be NE winds kicking up near the coast thanks to a pressure gradient between high pressure building in over land and low pressure spinning up offshore. Stay tuned for possible Coastal Flood Advisories from the National Weather Service.

Thanksgiving Day: Seasonably cool with sunshine

/ November 22, 2023 at 9:13 PM

After some much-needed rain Tuesday and Wednesday, we get a day to dry out on Thanksgiving. Expect plenty of sunshine for much of the day (albeit with clouds increasing late) and some cooler and drier air as well — we’ll wake up to lows in the mid-40s that will yield to highs in the low 60s as generally light north winds blow in. Overall, it looks like a great day to get together with family for food and football, amongst other things.

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