Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Charleston, SC

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160 FXUS62 KCHS 230102 AFDCHS Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 902 PM EDT Sun Sep 22 2024 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will linger across the region through early week this week. Later this week, a tropical cyclone is forecast to move generally northward across the Gulf of Mexico, then possibly tracking inland across portions of the Deep South or Southeast U.S. late this week. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM MONDAY MORNING/...
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A risk for isolated showers and perhaps a tstm will linger through midnight across the interior. Slight chance pops were maintained. Quiet conditions will prevail otherwise. Lows from the upper 60s inland to the mid 70s at the beaches and Downtown Charleston look on track. Only minor changes were needed for the late evening update.
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&& .SHORT TERM /6 AM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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Monday: A large ridge will remain centered over the northern Gulf of Mexico through early this week. On Monday, a sfc trough is forecast to slide over the forecast area by the afternoon. Forecast soundings indicate that CAPE values will increase to 1000-1500 J/kg. Latest HREF indicates that a corridor of isolated showers and thunderstorms may develop NW of the forecast area, drifting over the inland counties Monday afternoon and evening. High temperatures should range around 90 degrees. Tuesday: H5 ridge axis is expected to pivot across the forecast area during the day. Forecast soundings indicate shallow lapse rates under the ridge, limiting the convective potential. The forecast will generally remain dry, with SCHC PoPs across portions of the CHS Tri-county. High temperatures should remain around 90 degrees. Wednesday: The forecast area will remain under the influence of the H5 ridge centered over the western Atlantic. At the sfc, high pressure centered over the Mid-Atlantic States is expected to ridge south across the region. It is possible that a sea breeze could trigger isolated showers during the afternoon, SCHC PoPs inland. High temperatures should remain in the upper 80s to around 90.
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&& .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... Thursday through the rest of the week, details of the forecast will largely depend on the intensity, placement, and timing of a potential tropical system sourced from the Gulf of Mexico. See latest NHC Tropical Weather Outlook for latest information. Based on the collaborated low position, the system is expected to remain centered west of the forecast area. The H5 pattern will feature a ridge centered over the western Atlantic and a closed low over the Southern Plains, this should favor the expected tropical cyclone to track northward across the Gulf of Mexico. The proximity of the low, and expected track to the west, should result in increasing rainfall potential Thursday through Friday. Concern is increasing for impactful weather Thursday night into Friday, with the potential of a rainband lifting northward across the region. This band could bring rounds of heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and potentially the risk for tornadoes. The forecast is even more uncertain for the weekend, it is possible that dry air could wrap around the central CONUS closed low and bring drier conditions to the region. Or, some guidance indicates that a strong CAD may develop over the region, with rain, thick cloud cover and cool NE winds. The forecast will keep scattered convection with day to day highs in the 80s. && .AVIATION /01Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... 23/00z TAF Discussion: KCHS/KJZI/KSAV: VFR. Isolated showers/tstms should remain out of the terminals this evening. Extended Aviation Outlook: VFR conditions expected to prevail through Wednesday. && .MARINE... Tonight: Weak High pressure inland will lead to tranquil marine conditions. Expect generally S winds 5-10 kt this evening, backing a bit overnight. Seas will be 2-3 ft within 20 nm and 3-4 ft across the GA waters beyond 20 nm. Seas are expected to subside about a foot after midnight. Monday through Thursday: Broad high pressure offshore will result in southeast winds around 10 kt or less. Seas will average 1-3 ft for the nearshore waters out 20 NM and 3-4 ft for the outer GA waters from 20-60 NM. Wednesday through Thursday, there could be an increase in winds due to a potentially developing tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico. Thursday, guidance indicates that gusts may range between 25-30 kts with seas build to 5-6 ft within 20 NM and 8-9 ft across the outer GA waters. && .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... Positive tidal anomalies and high astronomical tides from the recent full moon will lead to elevated tides through early week. Although the astronomical high tides are lowering, minor coastal flooding is expected with each daytime high tide cycle along the Charleston and Colleton County coasts. && .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None. && $$