Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Charleston, SC
Issued by NWS Charleston, SC
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986 FXUS62 KCHS 180558 AFDCHS Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 1258 AM EST Tue Nov 18 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Dry high pressure is expected to prevail across the area through the week. A cold front is expected to move through this weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Through Sunrise: No hazardous weather is expected. Today and Tonight: The mid-levels will consist of a shortwave passing to our north this evening and overnight. Though, zonal flow should prevail overhead through this evening, then transition to WNW flow after midnight. At the surface, High pressure will be centered to our northeast this morning while a stationary front is to our south. The High will shift offshore into the afternoon, causing the stationary front to transition into a warm front and lift north. This front should move through out area late this afternoon. High pressure will then build in from the south this evening and overnight. No rainfall is forecasted with the front, so dry conditions will prevail with some passing clouds. Temperatures will be above normal. Highs will range from around 70 degrees across the Charleston Tri-County, rising to the upper 70s along the Altamaha River and vicinity. Lows will be mild, from the upper 40s far inland to the middle 50s at/near the coast. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Wednesday: Aloft, a shortwave situated across the Bluegrass state will slowly weaken as it approaches the Mid-Atlantic coastline and a strong upper-lvl ridge will build into the region from the west. Simultaneously, an associated front will move in tandem with the shortwave, but it is expected to remain north of the region. At the surface, a surface high pressure will be present across the Southeast and allow for temperatures to reach above normal conditions. Southwesterly flow will allow moisture to slowly return to the region with PWATs ranging from 1 to 1.25 inches. However, there is no precipitation expected with this system as the majority of forcing remains to the north. Highs will reach into the upper 70s to low 80s (and even some mid 80s possible for southeast GA). Such values would be around 10-12 degrees above normal and could be within a few degrees of daily records (see Climate section below). Thursday and Friday: A strong upper-lvl ridge with nearly 590 DM will be present over the Gulf on Thursday and Friday, as a surface low develops across the central CONUS. Expect temperatures to remain generally 10 to 12 degrees above normal with a rain-free forecast. High temperatures Thursday and Friday will reach near record highs (see Climate section), with low 80s across the SC Lowcountry to the low to mid 80s across SE GA. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... Expect upper-lvl ridging to become suppressed as a progressive shortwave approaches the region on Saturday, and an associated cold front passes through the area on Saturday night. Deterministic guidance seems to be in better agreement with the timing and position of the frontal passage, but some uncertainty still remains on the phasing of the H5 ridge located along the Atlantic coast. Forecast notes 20-30% PoPs ahead of the frontal passage, and could impact the area in the form of isolated to scattered showers. Rainfall amounts look to remain on the lighter side with such a quick-progression across the region. Temperatures will remain above normal on Saturday, with modest cooling on Sunday and Monday. && .AVIATION /06Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... 06Z TAFs: VFR. Extended Aviation Forecast: Prevailing VFR. It is possible that periods of ground fog may develop during the pre-dawn hours on Wednesday. && .MARINE... Through Sunrise: No hazardous weather is expected. Today and Tonight: High pressure will be centered to our northeast this morning while a stationary front is to our south. The High will shift offshore into the afternoon, causing the stationary front to transition into a warm front and lift north. This front should move through out area late this afternoon. High pressure will then build in from the south this evening and overnight. Expect tranquil marine conditions to prevail across our coastal waters with sustained winds generally 10 kt or less and seas 1-3 ft. Wednesday through Sunday: As surface high pressure continues to build across the local marine zones, west-southwesterly winds will remain light and variable. Ahead of the developing surface low across the central CONUS, winds could increase to 10 to 15 kts with gusts up to 20 kts on Friday night into the weekend. Seas will generally range from 1 to 3 ft. && .CLIMATE... Record High Temperatures: November 19: KSAV: 85/1942 November 20: KCXM: 78/1900 KSAV: 83/1942 November 21: KCXM: 80/1942 KSAV: 82/2011 November 22: KSAV: 82/1997 && .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None. && $$ NEAR TERM... SHORT TERM... LONG TERM... AVIATION... MARINE...