A highly anomalous Arctic intrusion is arriving this evening, evidenced by gusty winds 25-30 MPH and plummeting dewpoints across much of the area as of 7PM Monday. Further north, some flurries were reported in the Charlotte metro area and as far south as Hartsville, SC. Here at home, the first freeze of the season will occur for the vast majority of us; ensure pets and plants are protected and safe tonight as temperatures will fall into the 20s. Wind chills could drop into the upper teens, prompting a Cold Weather Advisory for Dorchester County. (Layer up!) Despite full sunshine, temperatures may not crack 50° in the afternoon, owing to the strength of the Arctic blast. If these forecasts verify, new record low and record cold high temperatures will be set at the airport: the record low for November 11 is 29°, set in 1943, while the record cold high temperature is 54°, set in 1968.

A strong cold front will bring about the first freeze of the season overnight Monday into Tuesday as a highly anomalous intrusion of Arctic air pushes southward. The winter preview will be short-lived, thankfully, but it will be impactful as the growing season almost certainly will end Tuesday morning.

A couple more warm days lie ahead before the coldest airmass of the season crashes into the area next week. Saturday will generally feature temperatures in the upper 70s after starting the day near 60°. We’ll keep a few clouds around, but the risk for any rainfall should be very low.

A strong front approaches the area Sunday, and there’s a chance that some showers and maybe a thunderstorm could move through in advance, but the risk will be diminishing as the front pushes eastward as moisture doesn’t look to be in abundance. Temperatures Sunday peak near 80° after starting in the low 60s.

Plenty of sunshine will continue on Tuesday as high pressure builds across the area from the west, keeping northeasterly flow in place which will keep temperatures on the cool side of normal and also help to elevate the morning high tide into minor flood stage. We’ll start the day in the mid-40s, warming to the upper 60s in the afternoon, which will feel quite comfortable with the sun out. The aforementioned northeasterly winds will run generally in the 5-10 MPH range, which will be enough of a breeze to make it feel a little cooler in the shade.

As mentioned, some coastal flooding will be possible between 5-8am as water levels peak in minor flood stage (7-7.2′) with the 6:11 am high tide. This may have limited impacts in the most vulnerable areas of the peninsula, primarily around the Hagood/Fishburne intersection as well as possibly on parts of Lockwood. Be ready to reroute around any closures.

The week ahead looks generally quiet and increasingly warm, especially as we get into late week and the first part of the weekend, but nothing too out of bounds for early November. Coastal flooding will become an issue beginning Tuesday as favorable winds and the highest astronomical tides of the season coincide, though.