


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Charleston, SC
Issued by NWS Charleston, SC
Versions:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
111 FXUS62 KCHS 112320 AFDCHS Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 720 PM EDT Sat Oct 11 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Coastal low pressure will linger through Sunday before shifting northeast while high pressure remains inland. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SUNDAY MORNING/... This evening: Radar imagery and satellite imagery show that a bit of a dry slot is working its way into the shield of precipitation that we have been dealing with all day. Steady rains continue across eastern Charleston and all of Berkeley counties, but the rest of the area is just seeing a few isolated showers. Water vapor imagery shows this dry air continuing to advance northward, particularly in the mid-levels, and it will be interesting to see what affect this has on the forecast through the night. Model guidance suggests that the steady stratiform rain will spread back in from the east and likely fill back in across much of southeast SC by the early morning hours. While rainfall has been steady for much of the day, hourly rates have not been particularly impressive. Rain gauges suggest that in the heaviest areas, hourly rates have topped out in the 0.1-0.2" range. So, even if rain fills back in, we aren`t anticipating significant additional rainfall amounts. Through sunrise Sunday, the highest amounts will be across eastern portions of the Tri-County, with 0.50-0.75" possible. Further to the west, amounts will certainly be lighter. Northerly winds will remain gusty through the night with frequent gusts into the 20-25 mph range. Temperatures will not drop much from their current values, with lows only dipping into the low 50s in most areas. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY/... The deep closed upper low over southern Georgia will transition to an open trough late Sunday, then gradually lift ENE through Monday. The associated surface low will move to a position just off the NC Outer Banks by Sunday afternoon. Continued moist isentropic ascent will maintain overcast skies and occasional light to moderate rain through Sunday afternoon. Cold air advection will keep temps well below normal. Drier air and subsidence as an upper ridge builds east should finally scour out the clouds and precip by late Sunday night. Monday and Tuesday should be dry with decreasing cloudiness. Temps will rise several degrees each day, but likely remain a bit below normal. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/... Deep layered ridging will maintain dry conditions and moderate temperatures a couple degrees below normal. && .AVIATION /00Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... The 00z TAF period begins with widespread low MVFR to IFR ceilings, with some break in the rainfall at KCHS, KJZI, and KSAV. Guidance suggests that ceilings could actually lift into the MVFR range through the early morning hours before dropping back to IFR. Light rain should also fill back in as well, though visibilities aren`t expected to get very low. Northerly winds will remain gusty through the night while gradually turning more northwesterly with time. Guidance suggests that IFR ceilings could linger through the entire day tomorrow, but confidence isn`t particularly high. Improvement should first come at KSAV, then gradually spread to KCHS and KJZI late in the period. Extended Aviation Outlook: MVFR or lower ceilings likely to persist into Sunday evening/night before returning to VFR. Gusty NE winds expected on Sunday. && .MARINE... Through tonight: Northerly winds of 25-30 kt with gusts to 35-40 kt will persist tonight as low pressure passes east of the coastal waters. Gale Warnings remain in place for all legs, except Charleston Harbor were a Small Craft Advisory for wind 20-25 kt was maintained. Seas will max out early this evening, ranging from 5-11 ft nearshore waters and 10-13 ft over the Georgia offshore waters. Monday through Thursday: Gusty NE winds will continue on Sunday, though speeds should start to decrease as the coastal low moves northeast and the gradient begins to relax. Marine headlines could persist as long as Monday night for wind gusts and/or seas. Rip Currents: Strong northeast winds and steep seas will support a High Risk of rip currents at all beaches through Sunday. High Surf: Offshore winds will limit the surf potential along the beaches through tonight. NWPS breaking wave guidance has been running a tad too high especially when compared to coastal webcams this afternoon. The risk for breakers of 5+ look greatest along the Charleston County beaches. && .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... The risk for additional coastal flooding will continue for coastal portions of Charleston and Colleton Counties for high tide Sunday afternoon. Levels there are expected to peak in the upper range of the minor flood stage (7.3-7.5 ft MLLW). A Coastal Flood Advisory is likely. Tides at Fort Pulaski are expected to peak just below the minor flood stage of 9.5 ft MLLW, however it could be close. && .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...High Risk for Rip Currents through Sunday evening for GAZ117-119- 139-141. SC...High Risk for Rip Currents through Sunday evening for SCZ048>051. Lake Wind Advisory until 8 AM EDT Sunday for SCZ045. High Surf Advisory until 8 AM EDT Sunday for SCZ050. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM EDT Sunday for AMZ330. Gale Warning until 6 AM EDT Sunday for AMZ350-374. Gale Warning until 2 AM EDT Sunday for AMZ352-354. && $$ NEAR TERM...BSH SHORT TERM... LONG TERM... AVIATION...BSH MARINE...