Charleston Weather Blog

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

Sunday’s forecast: Back to the heat

/ at 8:03 PM

The brief interlude away from the mid-90s air temperatures that have punctuated a fair bit of July will end Sunday as a tropical low and its associated showers and thunderstorms moves away. We’ll start the day in the mid-70s before highs top out in the mid-90s in the afternoon; mix in humidity and we should see heat indices around 105-106° around peak heating.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms should fire later in the afternoon into the evening hours and head coastward within northwest flow. A storm or two could get strong enough to produce a damaging wind gust or two, so we’ll want to watch that potential closely. Not everyone will see rain and storms, but if you do, be ready to move outdoor activities inside.

Weekend forecast: Showery Saturday, warmer Sunday

/ July 28, 2023 at 7:43 PM

Periods of showers and thunderstorms will figure somewhat prominently into Saturday’s forecast as a low pressure system moves across the area. The feed of moisture and shower and thunderstorm coverage should help keep highs from getting into the 90s, though even upper 80s combined with rich mid-70s dewpoints yield heat indices in the upper 90s. The tropical moisture feed could lead to some very heavy rain in some spots, with nuisance flooding possible where the heaviest rains set up. It won’t rain all day in any one location, either, but expect interruptions to outdoor activities.

Sunday should be a little quieter rain-wise (at least to start) as the disturbance lifts away. This will let temperatures head well into the mid-90s, yielding heat indices 105-110°. Scattered showers and thunderstorms should develop in the afternoon and evening hours, and there is a small chance of a thunderstorm complex trying to make inroads into the area later in the evening, so be ready to dodge those if being out Sunday is in your plans. All in all, no washout, but just be flexible.