textproduct: Charleston

WHAT HAS CHANGED

All sections have been updated.

KEY MESSAGES

- 1) Dry conditions are expected to continue into the weekend. Fire weather concerns remain low.

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGE 1: Dry conditions are expected to continue into the weekend. Fire weather concerns remain low.

Dry high pressure will expand across the Eastern Seaboard today and remain the primary feature across the forecast area through the weekend. This dry period will start with a notably cooler day today. The morning will bring lows in the low to mid 50s across inland areas, followed by highs in the upper 70s and low 80s. Conditions will feel quite comfortable with dewpoints falling well into the low to mid 40s this afternoon too. Temperatures will begin to rebound Thursday with highs back into the mid 80s, with upper 80s increasing in coverage through the weekend. The forecast is mostly dry as diurnal thunderstorm activity isn't really expected to return until early next week.

The aforementioned temperatures around 80 and dewpoints in the lows to mid 40s will combine to yield relative humidity values into the 25-30 percent range for much of the area. A few areas will even see values at or just below 25 percent. Northeast winds will remain elevated and breezy, with gusts up to around 20 mph as well. However, there are no fire weather concerns thanks to the recent active pattern and well above normal rainfall in most locations. Thursday will bring another day with relative humidity values down into the 25-30 percent range, though winds will be weaker and less gusty. Thereafter, humidity will steadily climb each day through the weekend.

AVIATION /06Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/

VFR conditions are expected to prevail at KCHS, KJZI, and KSAV through 06z Thursday. Northeast winds will become breezy again today, starting in the mid morning and continuing through the afternoon. Frequent gusts to around 20 knots can be expected.

Extended Aviation Outlook: VFR.

MARINE

Today through Sunday: Northeast winds will remain elevated across the local waters today with sustained winds 15-25 knots and frequent gusts into the 25-30 knot range. Small Craft Advisories remain in effect for all waters outside Charleston Harbor. Conditions will begin to improve this evening as the gradient relaxes and winds and seas begin to diminish. Small Craft Advisories step down at various times, but we should be free of all headlines by Thursday evening. Thereafter, winds will take on a more typical onshore pattern with modest surging expected along the land/sea interface with the afternoon and evening sea breeze circulation.

Rip Currents: The combination of continued strong northeast winds and elevated swell energy will produce a High Risk of rip currents at all beaches today. Winds and seas will diminish Thursday, but will still remain elevated enough to yield a Moderate Risk of rip currents at all beaches.

CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

GA...High Risk for Rip Currents from 8 AM EDT this morning through this evening for GAZ217-219-239-241. SC...High Risk for Rip Currents from 8 AM EDT this morning through this evening for SCZ148>151. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until midnight EDT tonight for AMZ360-362. Small Craft Advisory until 5 AM EDT Thursday for AMZ364. Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT Thursday for AMZ384.