Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Charleston, SC

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160
FXUS62 KCHS 050750
AFDCHS

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston SC
350 AM EDT Sun May 5 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
Atlantic high pressure will remain across the Southeast U.S.
through much of next week. A cold front will approach the area
on Friday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Early this morning, KCLX detected a cluster of showers over
Allendale and Hampton Counties, drifting east. Latest runs of the
HRRR indicates that this activity may continue across the SC zones
until daybreak. The forecast will continue to highlight this
activity with SCHC to CHC PoPs.

GOES-East mid-level water vapor indicated that a disturbance was
tracking east across northern GA this morning. Near term guidance
times this feature reaching the inland counties of GA/SC by late
this afternoon. In addition, high resolution guidance indicates that
a sea breeze will develop this afternoon. SBCAPE along and ahead of
the sea breeze should pool to 1000-1500 J/kg. Scattered showers and
thunderstorms are forecast to develop along the sea breeze, then
propagating inland on the sea breeze and resultant cold pools. Using
a blend of MOS, high temperatures are forecast to range from the mid
to upper 80s across SE GA to around 80 along the SC coast.

This evening, convection should steadily decrease across the
forecast, owning to the sea breeze advancing inland and the
environment stabilizing after sunset. Patchy fog could develop late
tonight, especially over areas of recent rainfall. Low temperatures
should favor values between 65-70 degrees.

&&

.SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
A mid-level ridge axis will be positioned just off the Southeast
coast as a shortwave lifts northeast across the Tennessee Valley
Monday into Tuesday. Broad Atlantic high pressure will remain the
primary surface feature through the period as a low rides across the
northern CONUS. Convection will be active Monday with the quick
return of deep moisture. Coverage of showers/thunderstorms will be
highest in the late afternoon when instability is maximized. The
greatest POPs, which top out between 60-70%, are focused in
southeast South Carolina and along the I-95 corridor owing to the
juxtaposition of upper forcing and a progressive sea breeze. Chances
for showers/thunderstorms will be slightly less Tuesday as the
deeper moisture and remnant shortwave energy moves off the Mid
Atlantic coast in the morning. Although the majority of the forcing
will shift offshore, CI could occur along the sea breeze mainly
along and west of I-95. A weak ridge will set up Wednesday and
little available moisture will keep showers/precip limited.

Temperatures will steadily warm each day with highs in the mid 80s
Monday and increasing to the low 90s Wednesday. High temperatures
Wednesday could even reach record territory (see Climate section
below). Min temperatures both Monday and Tuesday are only expected
to drop to the mid/upper 60s, with locations along the beaches and
Downtown Charleston in the lower 70s.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Rainfall chances are little to none to start the long term forecast
period as the flow aloft transitions to quasi-zonal. Temperatures
will rise into the low/mid 90s Thursday, once again approaching
record highs. Dew points will remain in the 60s, which will help
keep heat indices from reaching the 100 degree mark. A cold front
will approach Friday, pushing across the forecast area Friday night
into Saturday, and bringing the next chances for decent convective
rainfall. Dry conditions and relatively cooler temperatures (upper
70s/low 80s) are anticipated next weekend behind the front.

&&

.AVIATION /08Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Prevailing VFR conditions are expected at CHS/JZI/SAV terminals
through the 6Z TAF period. Scattered showers, possibly a
thunderstorm, may develop just inland of the terminals early this
afternoon. The convection should focus along a sea breeze and
will track inland during the mid and late afternoon.

Extended Aviation Outlook: Brief flight restrictions are possible
within scattered showers/thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday.

&&

.MARINE...
The surface pattern will yield south-southeast winds between 5-10
kts today, then increasing to 10-15 kts tonight. Wave heights are
forecast to favor values between 2-3 ft today and tonight.

Monday through Friday: Atlantic high pressure will maintain
relatively benign conditions over the local marine waters.
Southeasterly winds in the morning will back slightly during the
afternoon and evening hours each day as the sea breeze develops.
Winds will average 10-15 kt with seas 2-4 ft. Winds will surge near
the end of the week as a cold front approaches. Small Craft Advisory
conditions are possible as gusts approach 25 kt, but look marginal
at this juncture.

&&

.CLIMATE...
May 8:
KCHS: 93/1986

May 9:
KCHS: 95/1963
KSAV: 95/1962

&&

.CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None.
SC...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

$$

NEAR TERM...NED
SHORT TERM...BRM
LONG TERM...BRM
AVIATION...BRM/NED
MARINE...BRM/NED