FXUS62 KCHS 280541 AFDCHS
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 1241 AM EST Sat Feb 28 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
A Marine Dense Fog Advisory has been issued for the Charleston Harbor through 8 AM. The Aviation Section has been updated to reflect the 06Z TAFs.
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.KEY MESSAGES...
- 1) Areas of low stratus and fog likely tonight.
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.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1: Areas of low stratus and fog likely tonight.
As of midnight a cold front is located to the south of the forecast area. GOES satellite imagery shows a large area of low stratus working southwards across the the forecast area, with ceilings less than 1k ft across most of the region. Additionally fog has developed in some spots as dew points remain elevated. Generally visibilities will be between 1 and 3 miles through the overnight period, however brief drops to less than 1 mile will be possible. Both the 00Z NBM and HREF are very unsupportive of the fog becoming dense, with probabilities only around 20% of visibilities less than 1 mile. Therefore, a Dense Fog Advisory is unlikely tonight.
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.AVIATION /06Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Solid IFR/LIFR conditions will initialize the 06Z TAFs at KCHS and KJZI, with MVFR cigs at KSAV. IFR cigs should reach KSAV in the next couple of hours, with IFR conditions expected to prevail at all terminals through most of the overnight. Additionally fog could impact the terminals at times, with vsbys generally 1-3SM. Timing of improving conditions is a little tricky, however the general thinking is vsbys improving around daybreak and cigs improving to MVFR by late morning and VFR by the afternoon.
Extended Aviation Outlook: The next chance of flight restrictions is late Sunday into Monday due to a passing cold front.
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.MARINE...
Areas of fog have been observed in the nearshore Charleston County waters as well as in the Charleston Harbor. Observations from webcams as well as the Charleston Harbor Pilot Office confirm that dense fog is present and a Marine Dense Fog Advisory has been issued for the Charleston harbor, valid until 8 AM. Visibilities in the harbor will drop to 1/4 NM at times tonight. Elsewhere, visibilities of 1-3 NM will be common as low stratus lingers and fog develops.
A dry cold front is expected to push through the region early next week, bringing elevated seas and gusts. Small Craft Advisories are likely across all waters, including the Charleston Harbor, from Monday into Monday night. NBM probabilities of gusts >34 kts are around 35% across the Charleston nearshore waters, so a Gale Watch/Warning is possible.
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.CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...Dense Fog Advisory until 8 AM EST this morning for AMZ330.
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CPM