textproduct: Charleston

WHAT HAS CHANGED

The Aviation Section has been updated for the 15/12z TAFs.

KEY MESSAGES

- 1) Dry weather and above-normal temperatures will continue through the weekend.

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGE 1: Dry weather and above-normal temperatures will continue through the weekend.

Prominent ridging aloft and subtropical high pressure at the surface will continue to support dry weather and above-normal temperatures through the weekend. Temperatures will range into the upper 80s to low 90s this afternoon and through the weekend. These values would be on the order of 10 degrees (or more) above normal. High temperatures could approach the daily records today, with the best chances of reaching records on Friday and Saturday (see Climate section below). The beaches will feel considerably cooler (possibly 10 to 15 degrees cooler) with onshore flow and water temperatures remaining in the mid-60s. The combination of well above normal temperatures and no rainfall will only serve to further worsen ongoing Extreme (D3) drought conditions highlighted by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

AVIATION /12Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/

15/12z TAF Discussion: KCHS/KJZI/KSAV: VFR through 16/12z.

Extended Aviation Outlook: VFR.

MARINE

Atlantic high pressure centered well offshore will maintain a southerly flow regime into Saturday. This pattern favors robust sea breeze surges each afternoon with the highest winds remaining confined to areas near the land/sea interface as well as the Charleston Harbor during the mid-afternoon to early evening hours. Gusts in these areas could reach as high as 20 kt at times.

A strong cold front is expected to push across the coastal waters Sunday which will bring a dramatic increase in both winds and seas, likely reaching as high as 25-30 kt with gusts near gale force. Small Craft Advisories will most certainly be needed with Gale Watches/Warnings possible, especially over the 20-60 NM offshore zones.

Rip Currents: A moderate risk of rip currents is in place for all beaches through Thursday. The combination of 2-3 ft swell with a period of ~10 seconds, moderate onshore winds and an increasing astronomical influence from an approaching full moon will be enough to support a higher rip current risk. An elevated risk for rip currents will likely persist into the weekend and especially into early next week as a pinched gradient, northeast wind event develops behind a strong cold front.

CLIMATE

Record High Temperatures:

April 16: KSAV: 92/1967

April 17: KCHS: 91/1967 KCXM: 86/2006 KSAV: 95/1967

April 18: KCHS: 92/1967 KSAV: 93/1967

April 19: KSAV: 92/1968

Record High Minimum Temperatures:

April 19: KCHS: 66/1975 KSAV: 69/1880

CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None.