textproduct: Charleston

WHAT HAS CHANGED

The Aviation Section has been updated for the 12Z TAF issuance.

KEY MESSAGES

- 1) Dry and breezy conditions will continue across the region today.

- 2) There is a High Risk of rip currents at all area beaches today.

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGE 1: Dry and breezy conditions will continue across the region today.

Dry high pressure will remain the dominant synoptic feature today, with high temperatures about 5 degrees below normal. RH values will likely bottom out in the low to mid 30s far inland, with mid 40s along the I-95 corridor, and higher at the beaches. The breezy NE winds observed over the last few days will wane, with afternoon gusts only around 15 mph expected. Therefore, a Fire Danger Statement will not be issued at this time.

KEY MESSAGE 2: There is a High Risk of rip currents at all area beaches today.

Strong northeast winds and elevated seas will continue to support a High Risk of rip currents at all beaches today. Looking to Friday, winds and seas start to settle. However, moderate risk of rip currents is expected to continue given 4-5 foot swells along the South Carolina beaches, and a high risk of rip currents along the Georgia beaches given swells of 5-6 feet.

AVIATION /12Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/

VFR conditions will prevail through the 12Z TAF period at KCHS/KJZI/KSAV. NE gusts to around 20 knots will return late this morning and into this afternoon, waning with nightfall tonight.

Extended Aviation Outlook: VFR.

MARINE

Today: While the northeasterly winds remain strong, they have been slowly trending down over the past 6 hours, which has allowed for the Gale Warnings to transition over to Small Craft Advisories. The winds will remain sustained in the mid 20s with gusts into the lower 30s throughout the day, with the gradient starting to relax Thursday night, resulting in diminishing winds though seas will remain elevated.

Friday through Tuesday: High pressure will become more directly centered across the area Friday into Saturday which will allow marine conditions to steadily improve. Small Craft Advisories look to linger into Friday night for the nearshore zones, with the offshore Georgia zone holding on until Saturday night as the seas settle. Winds should return to a more typical pattern for the late weekend and into early next week, with onshore flow topping out around 10-15 knots.

High Surf: With northeast winds across the coastal waters starting to relax, wave heights are starting to trend down along the coast. Model guidance would suggest 4 to 6 foot breaker waves are still possible into at least the morning hours, but will wait to see some morning observations before considering to cancel the High Surf Advisory early.

CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

GA...High Risk for Rip Currents through this evening for GAZ117-119-139- 141. High Surf Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for GAZ117-119- 139-141. SC...High Risk for Rip Currents through this evening for SCZ048>051. High Surf Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ048>051. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT Friday for AMZ350-354. Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM EDT Friday for AMZ352. Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT Saturday for AMZ374.