Charleston Weather Blog

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

Weekend forecast: Warm & storms continue

/ at 6:36 PM

“Speak Now” (Taylor’s Version) is not the only thing that’s going to get replayed over and over this weekend — so it shall be with the forecast as well. Expect muggy starts in the mid-70s each morning (with temperatures struggling to get below 80° downtown) followed by high temperatures in the mid-90s each afternoon. Heat indices will peak around 105° each day. While that would be a Heat Advisory in June, it happens so frequently in July and August that the criteria is moved to 110° on July 1. So, even though there’s no advisory, the risk for heat stroke is elevated in the afternoons.

From there, scattered showers and thunderstorms will fire along and ahead of the seabreeze as convective temperatures are reached, eliminating the cap that we’ll start the day with. Heavy rain and frequent lightning from slow-moving storms are the main concerns, and these will once again be mostly pulse-type storms (essentially pop up and fizzle out, much like Friday’s storms) with very weak wind shear in place. However, a damaging wind gust or two can never be totally ruled out where outflow boundaries get together and help improve lift, leading to stronger storms.

All in all, don’t expect a washout, but just be ready to move outdoor activities indoors at a moment’s notice. And stay hydrated!

Friday & the weekend: More heat, humidity, and storms

/ July 6, 2023 at 6:20 PM

Afternoon showers and thunderstorms remain in the forecast for Friday and the weekend with an active seabreeze and plenty of heat and humidity. Highs each day will top out in the low to mid-90s, with heat indices over 105° expected. Sunday’s heat index could approach 110°, in fact. Airmass showers and thunderstorms will be possible in the early afternoon, with more activity kicking up along the inland-moving seabreeze as we head into the evenings. As always, keep up to date with forecast changes as small tweaks — such as the pocket of drier air aloft that enveloped the area Thursday, which kept thunderstorms to a dull roar — could mean a better (and vice versa) day of weather.