textproduct: Charleston

SYNOPSIS

High pressure will prevail through the holiday week. A cold front could move through the area Sunday night or early Monday.

NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Through Sunrise: Radar indicates very light showers over the GA coastal waters and portions of the GA coast. While these locations may experience some sprinkles or very light showers for the next few hours, significant rainfall is not expected. Additionally, mid-level clouds continue to increase over our entire area. This will keep temperatures from dropping too much lower, or perhaps even cause them to barely rise in a few spots. The current low forecast is on track for most of our area.

Today and Tonight: The mid-levels will consist of longwave ridging forming over the Central U.S. This will cause northwest flow over our area with gradually rising heights. At the surface, High pressure centered over the Outer Banks this morning will shift further offshore into this afternoon. Though, it's far western periphery will split off into another area of High pressure centered over the Southeast from this afternoon through tonight. Additionally, a weak cold front will approach from the north late tonight, but it's not expected to reach our waters during this time period. This will yield dry conditions for our area. Extensive cloud cover this morning should gradually dissipate into the afternoon, with the overnight being partly cloudy to mostly clear. Temperatures will be above normal. Highs will range from the upper 60s across our far northern areas and the beaches, to the middle 70s across our far southern counties. Lows will generally be in the 50s.

SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/

Quiet and dry weather is expected for the Christmas Eve and Christmas holidays. Mid level ridge will be located over the Gulf coast states and Southern Plains, resulting in northwest flow aloft over the local area. High pressure will be the primary surface feature, as a dry cold front approaching from the north should stall or wash out. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the forecast will be the unseasonably warm temperatures. Highs are largely expected to peak in the mid to upper 70s away from the coast each day, while lows only drop to the low 50s. These values are roughly 10-15 degrees above late December normals.

LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/

Mild and dry conditions will persist through the weekend, before a strong cold front Sunday night/early Monday brings a notable change in temperatures for early next week. The front does not appear to bring a big threat for rainfall with extended guidance indicating less than a 30% chance for 0.01" in 24 hours. So main impact will be cooler temperatures and perhaps some gusty winds Monday into Tuesday.

AVIATION /06Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/

06Z TAFs: VFR.

Extended Aviation Outlook: Prevailing VFR.

MARINE

Through Sunrise: Buoy observations indicate winds and seas are trending lower, so we let the Small Craft Advisories within 20 nm expire. The Small Craft Advisory will continue for the GA waters beyond 20 nm.

Today and Tonight: High pressure centered over the Outer Banks this morning will shift further offshore into this afternoon. Though, it's far western periphery will split off into another area of High pressure centered over the Southeast from this afternoon through tonight. Additionally, a weak cold front will approach from the north late tonight, but it's not expected to reach our waters during this time period. Winds will gradually veer as time progresses and seas will trend lower. The Small Craft Advisory for the GA waters beyond 20 nm should expire this afternoon

Wednesday through Sunday: No marine concerns expected through the period. Winds will average less than 15 knots with seas 2-4 feet. Winds could begin to increase Sunday ahead of a cold front.

CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 1 AM EST early this morning for AMZ350-352-354. Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM EST this evening for AMZ374.