Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Charleston, SC

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107 FXUS62 KCHS 222021 AFDCHS Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 421 PM EDT Sat Jun 22 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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A weak surface trough will linger near the Georgia coast through tonight. High pressure will then prevail over the western Atlantic through next week.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
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Through Tonight: Weak low pressure currently centered near I-95 in Liberty County will continue to slowly trek up the coast overnight as it weakens. Though strong upper ridging/subsidence will limit the growth of most updrafts, 1000-1500+ J/kg of CAPE through the rest of the afternoon and into the evening could be sufficient to spawn a few short lived thunderstorms. Otherwise, mainly scattered showers across eastern GA, and only isolated showers across the Low Country expected to prevail through the evening. Late tonight, modest destabilization as the top of stratus/strato-cu near the center of the low circulation radiates could provide some convective enhancement, and a few slowly moving convective elements could develop near Savannah/Beaufort Co area. Localized rainfall amounts could reach up to 3-4+ inches in this area, but widespread rainfall amounts will likely be closer to an inch or less. Further north toward the Charleston Metro will see more limited rainfall coverage with prolonged heavy rainfall unlikely. Elsewhere across inland southeast GA some clearing could occur late tonight with the gradient relatively weak. There could be enough time for some favorable radiational cooling to overlap with lingering BL moisture, and some patchy, light fog could develop mainly along and west of the US Hwy 301 corridor. Sunday: Weak surface low along the coast will open and be absorbed into the approaching troughing/front well inland. Still, ample low level moisture lingers, with showers and storms likely to develop along the resultant sea breeze by the afternoon. Widespread cloud cover across much of the area will limit the instability somewhat, but instability climbing to 1000-2000 J/kg of MUCAPE along the sea breeze could bring some stronger thunderstorms, with gusty winds and lightning the primary threats. Further inland across SE GA, dry air will work in as the low dissipates and less cloud cover will bring warmer temps (into the mid 90s) and lower rainfall chances. Heat index values will climb to around 100 for most tomorrow afternoon, with warmer temps but less humidity inland, but greater humidity and relatively more moderate temps closer to the coast.
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&& .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
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A weak shortwave ridge will extend across southeast GA Sunday night, then a shortwave trough will drop into southern SC from the northwest on Monday. A weak surface cold front will slowly drift into the area on Monday. Increasing thicknesses combined with pre-frontal compression will result in toasty temperatures in the mid to upper 90s. The deepest moisture is forecast to move off the coast early Monday afternoon, so afternoon instability will not be particularly strong. A decent sea breeze should develop and move inland in the afternoon, but there will also be some mid-level subsidence working against buoyant parcels. We have isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Heat indices will top out between 104 and 108F, just shy of needing a Heat Advisory. A weak northwest flow will continue aloft on Tuesday while a weak surface high is centered across inland areas. Large scale subsidence will result in another hot day with highs in the mid to upper 90s. Surface dewpoints should mix out across inland southeast GA, while moisture pooling occurs closer to the SC/GA coast. The greatest risk for Heat Advisory conditions with heat indices above 108F will be across coastal GA and far southern SC. The main forcing for convection will be from the sea breeze, though a few subtle upper shortwaves are also possible.
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&& .LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
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A developing upper trough across the eastern United States and deep tropical moisture spreading into the area is expected to support greater coverage of mainly diurnal showers and thunderstorms through the long term period.
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&& .AVIATION /20Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Very weak low pressure slowly riding up the Georgia coast through tonight will continue to bring ample low level moisture advection across the area. Scattered to broken ceilings will continue this afternoon, with MVFR ceilings prevailing mainly across southeast Georgia, but at least occasional MVFR still possible across parts of the Low Country. Tonight, BL cooling and continued moisture advection will result in increasing coverage of MVFR ceilings, and all TAF sites will prevail MVFR late this evening through Sunday morning. Scattered showers continue through this evening, with a few thunderstorms possible mainly along the GA coast. Rainfall coverage overnight will be more limited, but isolated to scattered showers still possible mainly along the coast. Though brief visibility reductions and locally higher wind gusts are possible at all terminals overnight, confidence in timing/coverage is too limited to justify even a TEMPO group for vis restrictions overnight. Extended Aviation Outlook: Mostly VFR. However, convection will bring brief flight restrictions, mainly each afternoon and evening. && .MARINE...
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Weak low pressure slowly moving up the Southeast coast will continue to bring mainly moderate southeast winds across the waters tonight and Sunday. Some gusts to near 20 kt are possible near the low center on the east and north sides, and near any showers or storms, but SCA conditions are unlikely to be reached. Seas remain 3-4 ft overnight and Sunday as easterly medium period slowly diminishes while southerly windswell begins to build. Extended Marine: A slightly enhanced gradient is expected Sunday night between an inland trough and offshore high pressure. Wind gusts could approach 25 kt beyond 15 NM from the coast, and seas may reach 5 ft over outer portions. Otherwise, a fairly typical summertime pattern will occur, with the strongest winds along the coast each afternoon as the sea breeze develops. Rip Currents: A moderate risk continues through Sunday due to onshore winds and a moderate southeast swell.
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&& .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
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GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None.
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&& $$ NEAR TERM...CEB SHORT TERM...JRL LONG TERM...JRL AVIATION...CEB/JRL MARINE...CEB/JRL