A cold front will pass through overnight, bringing with it a chance for showers and maybe even some thunder as it moves by. Behind that front will be a significant airmass change as high pressure builds southwestward into the area. We’ll wake up to lows in the mid-60s, with temperatures climbing just to the mid-70s under mostly cloudy skies. It’s going to be quite breezy, with northeasterly winds gusting 30-35 MPH at times, especially near the coast.

The strong northeasterly winds will drive water levels in the harbor quite high on top of already high astronomical tides, especially during the day on Thursday (and for the next several days). High tide will peak around 10:06 AM around 8-8.2′ MLLW, which is comfortably in the major flooding threshold. A Coastal Flood Watch is in effect and will likely be upgraded to a warning if trends continue overnight. Be ready for numerous road closures in downtown Charleston as well as salt water impingement onto roads on James and Johns Islands as well as Daniel Island. Moderate coastal flooding is expected with the evening high tide as well, with water levels peaking around 7.5-7.7 MLLW between 9 PM and midnight. This should be high enough for another round of road closures downtown, so be mindful if your travels take you there Thursday night.

Occasionally unsettled and breezy conditions will continue for the next few days as a front moves through, high pressure builds in, and low pressure spins up offshore.

We stay warm on Tuesday with another day of high pressure at the surface and aloft driving temperatures above normal across the area. We’ll start the day near 70°, warming to the mid-80s in the afternoon under partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies. A few showers appear possible near the coast during the morning and early afternoon hours, but otherwise, many of us should get a rain-free day in.

We will need to continue to monitor the risk for coastal flooding around times of high tide, especially during the morning, with minor to moderate coastal flooding likely between 6-11 AM. (High tide peaks around 8:23 AM.) When we get into moderate flood stage, we start to run into more widespread road closures downtown, and given the timing, commute impacts appear likely. Allow extra time to reach your destination if downtown is where you’re headed in the morning. Another round of minor coastal flooding will be possible generally between 7-11 PM, which may yet close a few vulnerable roads but should not get as high as the morning high tide.