textproduct: Charleston

WHAT HAS CHANGED

The Marine Section has been updated to reflect latest trends this morning in regards to Small Craft Advisories.

KEY MESSAGES

- 1) A strong cold front will bring rain, gusty winds, and the possibility of severe thunderstorms on Monday.

- 2) Frost/freeze is possible Monday night and Tuesday night.

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGE 1: A strong cold front will bring rain, gusty winds, and the possibility of severe thunderstorms on Monday.

A strong upper trough will move toward the Appalachians Sunday night and Monday. A warm front will lift north Sunday afternoon and evening, potentially bringing some showers to the area. A strong cold front then sweeps through the area Monday afternoon and evening, bringing a fairly widespread band of showers and thunderstorms. Total QPF currently looks to be around half an inch on average. Models show the potential for at least marginal instability which combined with strong low-level wind fields could result in some strong to severe thunderstorms.

KEY MESSAGE 2: Frost/freeze is possible Monday night and Tuesday night.

Following the passage of the cold front Monday evening, drastically cooler temperatures are expected through the middle of next week. Monday night and Tuesday night could see freezing temperatures across the interior portions of SC and GA. Winds will be too strong for frost Monday night, but Tuesday night we could see winds relax enough to allow for some frost formation, potentially closer to the coast where lows are just above freezing.

AVIATION /13Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/

13/12z TAF Discussion: KCHS/KJZI/KSAV: VFR through 14/12z.

Extended Aviation Outlook: Brief flight restrictions are possible in showers and thunderstorms Sunday through Monday evening. Gusty winds expected on Monday.

MARINE

Through Tonight: Conditions across the coastal waters will steadily improve today as cold air advection wanes and the pressure gradient relaxes. Northeast winds in the 15-20 kt range will be common across nearshore waters late morning and seas 3-5 ft, just shy of Small Craft Advisory level conditions going forward through the day. However, Small Craft Advisory level conditions continue across outer Georgia waters into mid afternoon today (through 3 PM).

Saturday through Wednesday: Strong southerly winds will develop Sunday night into Monday ahead of a strong cold front. Solid Small Craft Advisory conditions anticipated, along with the potential for Gales across the Charleston nearshore waters due to 35 kt gusts Monday afternoon/evening.

EQUIPMENT

The KCLX radar is scheduled for radome panel replacement March 16-19, 2026. The radar will be down during this time. Users are encouraged to use data from the following nearby radar sites during the maintenance outage:

KCAE - Columbia, SC KLTX - Wilmington, NC KJAX - Jacksonville, FL KVAX - Moody AFB, GA KJGX - Robbins AFB, GA

CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM EDT this afternoon for AMZ374.