Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Charleston, SC

Home |  Current Version |  Previous Version |  Text Only |  Print | Product List |  Glossary On
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
-- Highlight Changed Discussion --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
515 FXUS62 KCHS 242355 AFDCHS Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 755 PM EDT Mon Jun 24 2024 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will remain over the western Atlantic while a weak cold front approaches the area. This front will likely linger near the area through mid-week. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM TUESDAY MORNING/...
-- Changed Discussion --
Tonight: A notable differential heating boundary created by clouds near the coast vs mostly sunny skies well inland late day has been the focus of a few showers/thunderstorms developing along/near a sfc trough axis just upstream of the local area. This activity could drift across inland zones during the next few hours as the trough nudges toward the Southeast Coast through the night, with a low, but non-zero risk for a stronger thunderstorm across far inland locations during the next few hours. By mid evening, some guidance suggests the tail-end of convection moving across the Tri-County Area and interacting with a sea breeze, sparking off additional showers and thunderstorms, a few of which could become strong with gusty winds given DCAPE values in excess of 1000 J/kg, 0-3km lapse rates around 7.5 to 8 C/km and the position of the trough axis nearby. However, instability will be on the downward trend during this time frame, and should limit the overall severe weather risk locally. Once convection moves offshore and/or dissipates, a warm/humid night will remain in place with lows ranging in the low- mid 70s well inland to lower 80s at the beaches and Downtown Charleston.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .SHORT TERM /6 AM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY/... Broad troughing will persist across the East Coast on Tuesday, gradually shifting to zonal flow on Wednesday and a return to broad troughing Thursday. At the surface a weak cold front will likely linger in the vicinity of the forecast area through midweek. 850 hPa temperature anomalies will remain rather warm through the period, which combined with little mixing each day, will yield hot and humid conditions. Heat index values are forecast to reach 102-107F inland. A few spots may make a run at 108F along the coastal counties, however coverage of these values is not enough to warrant Heat Advisories at this juncture. Each afternoon isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible, as PWATs remain elevated with the front in the vicinity. PWAT values are forecast to remain near 1.6-1.8", which is slightly above normal for this time of year. CAPE values are forecast to reach around 1500 J/kg, with model soundings indicating >1000 J/kg of DCAPE. A strong to marginally severe thunderstorm cannot be ruled out any afternoon, with strong wind gusts as the main hazard. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... An anticyclone aloft will be positioned over the southern U.S. and will slowly shift eastward over the southeastern states through the weekend. At the surface high pressure will extend into the forecast area from the east with the center of high pressure centered over Bermuda. Hot and humid conditions will likely persist into the weekend. Head index values are forecast to reach from around 103- 105F inland with values approaching 108F along the coastline. Head Advisories may be required. A summertime pattern is expected through the period, with the highest precipitation chances in the afternoon hours. && .AVIATION /00Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
VFR conditions will prevail at CHS/JZI/SAV terminals through 00Z Wednesday. However, a few showers could briefly impact the CHS/JZI terminals this evening (02-05Z), causing a short period of flight restrictions. VCSH remains at CHS to account for this possibility during the time noted above, but the overall concern is rather low. A few showers and/or thunderstorms could impact the terminals Tuesday afternoon, leading to tempo flight restrictions at any terminal, but confidence in timing/duration is too low to include in the latest TAF issuance. Extended Aviation Outlook: Brief flight restrictions will be possible at all terminals with afternoon showers and thunderstorms.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .MARINE... Tonight: The pressure gradient will remain enhanced this evening between high pressure centered well offshore and a trough advancing toward the coast. As a result, south to southwest winds between 15- 20 kt will be common across local waters, with even a few wind gusts up to 25 kt at times, but the duration of stronger gusts should be short-lived and not sufficient for a Small Craft Advisory. A few stronger thunderstorms could impact coastal waters this evening, primarily across South Carolina waters until the trough advances offshore. Expect southwest winds to slightly weaken once fropa occurs later tonight, with gusts upwards to around 15 kt across nearshore waters and perhaps 20 kt across offshore Georgia waters. Seas will average between 3-5 ft, largest beyond 10 nm from the coastline. Tuesday through Friday: Generally tranquil marine conditions are expected through the period. Winds will gradually back each day and veer overnight, strongest along the coastline as the afternoon sea breeze/overnight land breeze develops. Seas should average 2 to 3 ft. && .CLIMATE... The low temperature at KCHS so far today is 80. If this holds, this will break the previous record high minimum of 79 set back 2016. && .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None. && $$ NEAR TERM...DPB SHORT TERM... LONG TERM... AVIATION...DPB MARINE...DPB