FXUS62 KCHS 021129 AFDCHS
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 729 AM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
The Aviation Section has been updated for the 12Z TAF issuance.
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.KEY MESSAGES...
- 1) Warm temperatures will continue, with isolated to scattered
showers and thunderstorms possible through late week.
- 2) A cold front could bring increased rain chances late this
weekend into early next week.
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.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1: Warm temperatures will continue, with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms possible through late week.
A strong mid level ridge will encompass the region through late week. At the surface, high pressure over the western Atlantic will extend across the area. Isolated to perhaps scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible, particularly Friday and Saturday. Of the two days, Friday may see higher coverage with a bit of upper support and an inverted trough making a run for the coast. Severe weather is not expected. Otherwise, temperatures will continue to run 5-10 degrees above early April normals. Most locations inland of the immediate coast will peak in the low to mid 80s each day, while lows remain seasonally mild.
KEY MESSAGE 2: A cold front could bring increased rain chances late this weekend into early next week.
A broad mid level trough will settle into the eastern U.S. late weekend into early next week. At the surface, a cold front will push through the area later Sunday or Sunday night. The first half of Sunday should be mostly dry, then rain chances will increase during the afternoon and evening as the front approaches. This system still doesn't appear to produce significant rainfall with NBM showing the probability for >0.50" in the 24-hour period is less than 25%, with >1" generally 5% or less. While stronger wind fields begin to move in, instability progs are rather weak, so the severe weather potential looks low at this time.
Behind fropa, notably cooler temperatures are expected. There is some signal a mid level wave could pass across the Southeast later Monday into Tuesday, possibly resulting in weak low pressure developing. This could bring precip chances back into the area. GEFS is most aggressive with this scenario, while others keep the precip further south and drier over the local area.
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.AVIATION /12Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
VFR conditions are expected at CHS/JZI/SAV terminals through 12Z Friday. However, brief MIFG could persist to shortly after 12Z this morning before quickly dissipating. Some guidance suggests MIFG returning at the terminals in the 10-12Z Friday timeframe, but confidence is too low to include in the latest TAF issuance.
Extended Aviation Outlook: TEMPO flight restrictions are possible at all terminals Friday with isolated showers and/or thunderstorms, followed by higher chances for flight restrictions associated with showers and thunderstorms occurring with a passing cold front Sunday into early Monday.
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.MARINE...
Today and Tonight: Atlantic high pressure will dominate the weather pattern across the Southeast, supporting easterly winds 10-15 kt today turning more southeasterly late day and night. A few gusts to 20 kt are possible across the outer Georgia waters overnight with any weak coastal troughing attempting to develop nearby. Seas will generally range between 2-4 ft today, then slowly build to 3-5 ft tonight, largest across outer Georgia waters after midnight tonight.
Extended Marine: High pressure will persist across the region through late week, supporting winds/seas that remain below Small Craft Advisory conditions for a majority of waters through Sunday. A cold front will push through the region late Sunday into Monday, producing strong/gusty northerly winds and building seas across local waters early week. Small Craft Advisories are likely across a majority of local waters starting Monday and could persist with a second front/enhanced pressure gradient arriving/developing into the middle of next week.
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.CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None.
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DPB/ETM