Charleston Weather Blog

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

Rest of the work week: Unsettled for a couple more days, then calming down

/ August 15, 2023 at 9:55 PM

A stalling front and deep moisture will keep showers and thunderstorms figuring prominently in the forecast for the next couple days, bringing an end to this string of excessive heat (though it’ll still be plenty warm before storms get going). Wednesday could feature a scattering of storms at any point during the day, but the best chances will be found in the afternoon as daytime heating gets going. Some spots may see some heavy rain given deep moisture and occasionally lackadaisical storm motions. Keep an ear out for flood advisories.

Thursday looks rather similar, though we should start to see the deeper moisture get shunted away from the area late in the day. Temperatures once again start in the mid-70s before peaking around 90-91° ahead of another round of showers and thunderstorms developing across the area. Once again, the main threat is heavy rain, but a couple storms still could produce some gusty winds.

The front falls apart Friday as high pressure begins to ridge back in, and that will drive storm chances down and temperatures back up into the mid-90s. Despite generally southwesterly winds at the surface, dewpoints should mix down into the upper 60s to around 70° around peak heating, keeping the heat index at least a little in check. An isolated shower or storm will be possible on the seabreeze, but much of us get Friday in rain-free.

Tuesday’s forecast: One more steaming hot day, but storms expected by evening

/ August 14, 2023 at 9:57 PM

We have one more day of Heat Advisory-level warmth on Tuesday before a front starts to usher in changes later in the day in the way of showers and thunderstorms. First, though, we start the day in the upper 70s to around 80° in the morning before highs head back into the mid-90s in the afternoon. Mid-70s dewpoints will yield heat indices around 110° for at least a couple hours. From there, showers and thunderstorms should develop in the afternoon, with more widespread coverage arriving late afternoon and evening as the front gets closer. A few storms could be on the strong to severe side with damaging wind gusts the main concern. Otherwise, heavy rain and frequent lightning are the other main concerns.

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