Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Charleston, SC

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757 FXUS62 KCHS 010522 AFDCHS Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 122 AM EDT Wed May 1 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A weak disturbance will move through the region tonight into Wednesday. High pressure will then prevail through late week, before a weak cold front stalls in the vicinity this weekend. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THIS MORNING/...
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As we go through the overnight, a well defined shortwave pushing through the local counties. Instability will certainly be quite low in the absence of surface heating, but we will continue to see isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms across the area for much of the overnight. The best chances will be across our South Carolina counties. The trough axis will shift offshore just before sunrise and the convective coverage is expected to diminish. On the backside of the shortwave and the departing convection, light winds and plenty of residual low- level moisture should be sufficient to produce at least some patchy fog across the inland tier of the forecast area. Lows will be some 5-10F degrees warmer than last night.
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&& .SHORT TERM /6 AM THIS MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY/... Mid level shortwave will shift off the Carolina coast Wednesday morning. Convection should be limited in wake of this feature, but a few isolated showers/thunderstorms will still be possible through the day with lingering moisture and instability, especially along the coast. Ridge builds overhead on Thursday before transitioning offshore on Friday in advance of a weak shortwave moving in. This pattern will largely act to suppress convection but will need to monitor potential for a few storms to impact far inland areas later Friday. High temperatures peak in the mid to upper 80s inland of the immediate coast. Lows will span the 60s, coolest inland. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... Surface high pressure remains the primary feature, although a weak front will approach the region and stall before largely dissipating. Aloft, a series of weak shortwaves will pass through. Expect at least isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms each day. Highs remain in the mid/upper 80s, while lows stay in the 60s. && .AVIATION /06Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
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KCHS/KJZI/KSAV: A short wave moving through the area will result in scattered SHRA and isolated TSRA at or near the KCHS and KJZI terminals through the pre-dawn hours. This will result in a TEMPO group of MVFR conditions at both sites. Convection will not impact KSAV, so we have them as VFR. And early morning fog/stratus will occur inland from all three airports. Light offshore winds will develop early this morning, than gives way to a light sea breeze during the early and mid afternoon (first at KJZI, then at KCHS, then at KSAV). Isolated showers and t-storms will form along this boundary between about 18Z and 23Z. But confidence is low of any direct impacts at the airfields, so no mention at this time. Extended Aviation Outlook: Flight restrictions possible in overnight/early morning fog and stratus.
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&& .MARINE...
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Overnight: High pressure centered across the western Atlantic will extend toward the Southeast Coast while a trough remains inland. The pattern will favor a southerly wind around 15 kt or less. Seas will range between 2-4 ft, largest across offshore Georgia waters. Mariners should remain alert for a few t-storms, producing gusty winds and frequent lightning strikes. Wednesday through Sunday: No marine concerns expected. Atlantic high pressure will remain the dominant feature with a relatively weak gradient in the area. Wind speeds will generally stay below 10 kt except right along the coast with the afternoon sea breeze, and seas will mostly run 2-3 ft.
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&& .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None. && $$ NEAR TERM... SHORT TERM...ETM LONG TERM...ETM AVIATION... MARINE...