textproduct: Charleston

WHAT HAS CHANGED

All sections updated.

KEY MESSAGES

- 1) Frost/freeze conditions through daybreak today and again tonight.

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGE 1: Frost/freeze conditions through daybreak today and again tonight.

Winds have gone light to calm across the region, a result of the prevailing high pressure at the surface. Combined with clear skies, a very chilly night is underway across the region. Several sites are already reporting 32 degrees as of midnight. A Freeze Warning remains in effect for a bulk of the SC Lowcountry and southeastern GA. A Frost Advisory is in effect along the SC coastal counties, where frost is forecast away from the immediate coastline. These products are in effect through 9 AM.

If widespread freezing temperatures occur early this morning, then this will end the local growing season and Frost/Freeze products will not be issued for tonight/early Monday morning. However, if only some areas observe freezing temperatures, then the growing season continues and we will likely need Frost/Freeze products tonight/early Monday morning. Regardless of the outcome, overnight temperatures will range from low to mid 30s across the inland counties and upper 30s to low 40s across the coastal counties.

AVIATION /06Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/

VFR through the 06Z TAF period at KCHS/KJZI/KSAV.

Extended Aviation Outlook: Expect VFR conditions to prevail.

MARINE

Today and Tonight: High pressure will dominate over the marine waters through tonight, yielding N winds 10 to 15 knots and seas 2 to 3 ft.

Monday through Thursday: As slowly high pressure expands across the region and then eventually into the Atlantic, expect northeasterly flow to take hold of the forecast and gradually ramp up throughout the period. Wind speeds will generally range from 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kts (even 30 kts possible across the offshore waters). East-northeasterly swell will be on tap through the period as well with seas ranging from 4 to 6 ft across the nearshore waters, then 5 to 8 ft across the offshore waters. Small Craft Advisories will likely be needed on Monday evening for the offshore Georgia waters, and then eventually for the nearshore South Carolina waters as well on Tuesday through the rest of the period. Mariners should stay up to date with latest marine forecast before heading offshore.

CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

GA...Freeze Warning until 9 AM EST this morning for GAZ087-088- 099>101-114-115-137-216-238. Frost Advisory until 9 AM EST this morning for GAZ218-240. SC...Freeze Warning until 9 AM EST this morning for SCZ040-042>045- 147. Frost Advisory until 9 AM EST this morning for SCZ148>152. MARINE...None.