The stratocumulus clouds are gone, and after the chilliest start since early March (mid-40s!), we look to have a really gorgeous day ahead with highs around 70° under sunny skies thanks to a broad area of high pressure across much of the eastern half of the continental United States. Just because we’re all in on social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t go outside. It’s good for the soul. Enjoy!
I knew it was coming, but the chill in the air was somewhat shocking as I went to read the rain gauge this morning! In the wake of yesterday’s storm system which, thankfully, had more bark than bite for our neck of the woods, April will start out significantly cooler with clouds gradually decreasing as the day goes on. You’ll want a light jacket as temperatures will only rise into the mid-60s this afternoon. Enjoy the brief return to #hoodieweather before above-normal temperatures re-establish themselves getting into next week.
March would end on a stormy note, wouldn’t it?
Much of Tuesday looks to remain dry, but we will be watching low pressure coming out of AL and GA throughout the day as it could bring a few strong storms to the area depending on how far north it gets. Overcast will help keep temperatures in the mid-70s throughout the day, but any breaks in the clouds could add some fuel for storms. Right now, the best risk for severe weather looks to be in southern Georgia, but we are right within the margin of error. If storms do turn strong to severe, damaging wind gusts would be the primary concern. Stay alert for forecast tweaks and changes tomorrow.
This storm system will usher in quite the airmass change as we get into Wednesday and beyond. Wave goodbye to the 80s for a little bit as temperatures plunge below normal Wednesday and Thursday before recovering back to normal (mid-70s) for the weekend.
After a stubborn high pressure wedge held firm across SC for a good bit of the day, we will warm significantly on Tuesday as low pressure moves across a pesky frontal boundary which is expected to lift north across SC as the day goes on. Highs should top out in the upper 70s in most spots; wouldn’t be surprised to see an 80° reading peek through depending on how much sun can break through cloud cover. Said low pressure will help spur on some scattered showers and thunderstorms. It won’t rain all day, and rain amounts should generally be light, though a few downpours cannot be ruled out.
Most of us should not be headed out and about unless it is for essential trips for provisions or prescriptions. To the grocery workers, pharmacists, medical professionals, and first responders still heading into the community despite the threat from coronavirus, we salute you all.
After topping out in the mid-70s today, temperatures will really start to crank up on Thursday. If the forecast verifies, it’ll feel more like late May as opposed to mid-March. The record high of 85, last set in 2012, is certainly within reach and will be watched closely. Overall, expect temperatures 10-15° above normal across the area. Rain chances are nil as a lack of triggering mechanisms at the surface and ridging aloft will put the kibosh on any airmass showers that try to form. The only potential weather hazard looks to be some patchy fog in the morning. If you’re headed outdoors for a physically distant walk, be ready to sweat a little!
Of note: The vernal equinox will occur tomorrow night at 11:50 PM. This is a rather early start to astronomical spring as it is, but meteorologically, it’s been spring for a few weeks now. (We’ll give you this one, Phil.)
A warm front will lift north of the area tomorrow, bringing with it another round of scattered showers and perhaps a thunderstorm. Temperatures will run even warmer — mid-70s appear likely in the afternoon, with lows in the upper 50s to low 60s. Watch for fog in the morning if you have to commute.
Tuesday will bring some scattered showers, primarily in the morning, as a disturbance swings through the area. Said disturbance will help usher out the high pressure wedge that’s been in place for the last day or so, allowing temperatures to rise into the low 70s in the afternoon. We may see some peeks of sun toward the end of the day, but expect copious amounts of cloud cover to add a little gloom to a socially isolated St. Patrick’s Day.
Today’s forecast looks a lot different than the NWS forecast that was published Friday evening. (Pesky, stalled frontal boundaries will do that to you.) We’ll see a warm front lift north of the area, allowing temperatures to surge back into the mid-70s this afternoon. Showers should stay few and far between for a fair bit of the day, but an uptick in shower chances will arrive this evening as a disturbance aloft moves through the Carolinas, helping to bring the front back to the south of our area as a cold front. Plan for rain gear late this afternoon into this evening if you must be out and about, but please be sure to limit any unnecessary travel — not necessarily because of weather, but because we all need to do our part in helping to limit spread of the novel coronavirus so we can #FlattenTheCurve and give our health workers a fighting chance.
Temperatures head back into the 80s tomorrow under partly cloudy skies. We may see an isolated shower or thunderstorm kick off in the afternoon, but the vast majority of us look to remain dry throughout the day. Best chances for any rainfall look to be closer to I-95 than the Charleston metro area, but we’ll want to see how the mesoscale details sort themselves out as this pattern has a bit of a summer-like feel to it.
While 83° is rather toasty for mid-March — a normal March 13th tops out around 69° — it’s not a record. That dubious honor goes to March 13, 1990, when the high temperature at Charleston International Airport reached 88°.
Well, at least the weather’s going to be decent on Thursday. Partly cloudy skies will allow temperatures to once again approach 80°, and the lack of any triggers for convection makes any rain chance negligible.
While these temperatures are well above normal — a high of 69° and low of 46° mark a more typical March 12th based on 1981-2010 averages — the NWS forecast high of 78° is not a record. It’s not even close, in fact. The record high for March 12 is 89°, set in 1973. Now, if we don’t get cooler than 62°, we’d tie or break the record warmest low temperature for the date, set in 1985. So, while it’s rather warm, it isn’t unprecedented to get even warmer this time of year.