Special Weather Statement, NWS Charleston, SC

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston SC
814 PM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
A strong cold front will sweep through the area tonight,
followed by dry and cool high pressure through the weekend.
Warmer conditions will return early next week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/...
Update: Radar indicates strong and severe thunderstorms in our
interior SC counties. This is an area with existing boundaries,
MLCAPES ~2,000 J/kg, and effective bulk shear of 40 kt.
Thunderstorms will persist ahead of the front into this evening.
Though, as of this tying things appear to be in check enough
where we won't be put under a watch from SPC. Though, we are
becoming concerned about rain rates and the potential for minor
flooding in the areas currently getting thunderstorms.

Otherwise, a series of shortwaves will move through central
GA/SC through this evening, then a strong cold front will sweep
through overnight. Moderate instability has developed over the
area within a low/mid 80s airmass with dewpoints in the upper
60s to lower 70s. Convection will remain scattered in nature
and primarily across far inland areas for the next couple hours,
then coverage should increase farther to the east as the cold
front moves in. The main threat is for damaging winds and large
hail. Precip should begin to taper off from the west later
tonight with dry conditions by daybreak Thursday.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Thursday: The mid-levels will consist of a trough moving over the
East Coast. At the surface, a cold front will be offshore in the
morning and rapidly moving away. Meanwhile, strong high pressure
will be approaching from the west with time. There could be a few
light showers at daybreak just offshore, but they will quickly zoom
away. Additionally, skies will clear from west to east as the drier
air associated with the approaching high makes its way into our
area. Strong cold air advection behind the front will lead to gusty
NW winds around 20-25 mph during the daylight hours. But what will
be more noticeable is the temperatures. The strong cold air
advection will cause them to be below normal. However, downslope
flow off the Appalachians should help to offset this and warm them
up. We generally leaned towards the low level thickness values for
the highs, which yields temperatures in the lower to mid 60s, about
10 degrees below normal. Overnight, the combination of the cold air
advection and clear to mostly clear skies will continue the below
normal temperatures. Lows should be in the 30s across most of the
area. Freezing temperatures are possible far inland and in the
Francis Marion, so Freeze headlines may be needed with the next main
forecast package. Luckily, NW winds will remain in the 5-10 mph
range and RH values will struggle to reach 60%, which will make it
very difficult for frost to form.

Friday and Saturday: The mid-level trough will shift off the East
Coast. At the surface, a strong area of high pressure initially
centered across the Mississippi River Valley will eventually become
located across the Southeast U.S. on Saturday. Strong subsidence
will lead to dry conditions and sunny/clear skies. The main thing to
note will be the below normal temperatures. Highs will be in the mid
to upper 50s on Friday, more typical of January than April. Friday
night will be the coldest night our area has had in a while, and
more impactful for this time of year. The combination of an already
cold airmass, light or maybe calm winds, and clear skies will cause
temperatures to plummet. Lows will be in the 30s with potentially a
majority of our non-coastal counties at risk of reaching freezing
temperatures. This is more likely to occur if winds go calm, which
models are hinting might happen. Additionally, if winds go calm,
we'll need to keep an eye on the frost potential. Luckily, RH values
will struggle to reach 70%, which would limit the frost potential.
Either way, some more Freeze headlines may be needed Friday night.
Saturday, temperatures finally warm up as the air mass moderates.
This is a stretch as they will still be in the 60s instead of the
50s.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
A fairly quiet weather pattern will be in place as cool and dry high
pressure remains stretched across the Deep South and Southeast
United States late weekend into early next week. A dry cold front
will attempt to approach from the north Sunday night, likely sliding
offshore along the eastern edge of high early Monday. A noticeable
warming trend is then expected through the first half of the week as
mid/upper lvl ridging occurs just west of the area. In general,
highs ranging in the low/mid 70s Sunday should warm into the upper
70s/lower 80s by Tuesday and could even approach the low/mid 80s by
Wednesday. Overnight lows will show the same warming trend, dipping
into the upper 30s/lower 40s away from the coast Saturday night,
then only into the mid/upper 50s by Tuesday night and upper
50s/lower 60s Wednesday night.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Scattered showers and tstms possible later this evening,
particularly at KCHS where better upper forcing will exist. Late
tonight as the front sweeps through, we could see a few hours
of MVFR ceilings, mainly at KCHS, but we held off on this for
now. Gusty winds developing on Thursday behind the front.

Extended Aviation Outlook: Gusty NW winds are possible on Friday.
Otherwise, VFR will prevail.

&&

.MARINE...
The Small Craft Advisory for Charleston Harbor has expired.
Meanwhile, clusters of strong to potentially severe storms will
move through the South Carolina Atlantic waters and Charleston
Harbor early tonight. Wind gusts in excess of 35 or 40 kt will
occur, along with frequent lightning and very heavy rains.
Special Marine Warnings will likely be issued.

Previous discussion...
Webcams indicate the bank of sea fog has become more diffuse,
so the Marine Fog Advisory has expired. Though, some areas of
fog will persist into this evening until the wind directions
begin to veer to more southwesterly.

Winds in Charleston Harbor earlier today were quite strong.
Sustained winds around 15-20 kt with occasional gusts to 25 kt
are expected to persist into early this evening, then diminish
a bit until the front arrives. A Small Craft Advisory currently
runs through 8 pm.

For the remainder of the waters, SW winds will persist
overnight, as the cold front sweeps offshore closer to daybreak
Thursday.

Thursday: A cold front will be offshore and moving away in the
morning while high pressure approaches from the west. The
combination of strong cold air advection and isallobaric rises will
be generating strong winds and elevated seas in the morning. Small
Craft Advisories will be in effect for all of the coastal waters at
this time. Conditions should improve a bit during the afternoon, to
the point where the argument could be made that the Small Craft
Advisories could be dropped for some zones. However, this won't be
happening because conditions will deteriorate again during the
evening and overnight. As for the CHS Habor, it's borderline whether
wind gusts will consistently be 25 kt, prompting a Small Craft
Advisory.

Friday: The cold air advection and isallobaric rises will decrease
in magnitude during the morning and afternoon, leading to lower
winds and seas. The Small Craft Advisories will expire first for the
waters within 20 nm and then for the GA waters beyond 20 nm by the
evening. Expect N to NE winds 10-15 kt overnight with seas 2-4 ft.

Tranquil conditions are expected this weekend and into early next
week with high pressure dominating the weather pattern.

&&

.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Tides may get close to 7.0 ft MLLW at Charleston late this
evening, though with wind directions now southerly, the
trajectory is not particularly favorable for surge, so we've
kept the tide forecast just below at this time. Some showers and
thunderstorms could be moving through coastal SC late this
evening or early Thu morning, thus, even if we don't hit 7.0 ft,
flooding could still be an issue.

&&

.CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None.
SC...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 6 AM Thursday to 8 AM EDT Friday for
     AMZ352-354.
     Small Craft Advisory from 6 AM Thursday to 8 PM EDT Friday for
     AMZ374.
     Small Craft Advisory from 6 AM Thursday to noon EDT Friday for
     AMZ350.

&&

NEAR TERM...
SHORT TERM...MS
LONG TERM...RAD
AVIATION...JRL/MS
MARINE...JRL/MS
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Charleston SC
606 PM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>044-047>052-012215-
Jenkins-Screven-Candler-Bulloch-Effingham-Tattnall-Evans-
Inland Bryan-Coastal Bryan-Inland Chatham-Coastal Chatham-Long-
Inland Liberty-Coastal Liberty-Inland McIntosh-Coastal McIntosh-
Allendale-Hampton-Inland Colleton-Dorchester-Inland Jasper-Beaufort-
Coastal Colleton-Charleston-Coastal Jasper-Tidal Berkeley-
606 PM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Georgia and
southeast South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Severe Storms: There could be a few severe thunderstorms this
evening ahead of a strong cold front. Storms have the potential to
produce damaging winds, large hail and even an isolated tornado. The
most likely time for any severe weather is until midnight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Frost/Freeze: A strong cold front could cause temperatures to drop
to near freezing Friday morning and again Saturday morning. A Frost
Advisory or a Freeze Watch/Warning could be needed, especially over
the inland counties in southeast South Carolina and Georgia.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time.

SCZ045-012215-
Inland Berkeley-
606 PM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Severe Storms: There could be a few severe thunderstorms this
evening ahead of a strong cold front. Storms have the potential to
produce damaging winds, large hail and even an isolated tornado. The
most likely time for any severe weather is until midnight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Lake Winds: A Lake Wind Advisory could be required on Lake Moultrie
Thursday as winds increase behind a strong cold front.

Frost/Freeze: A strong cold front could cause temperatures to drop
to near freezing Friday morning and again Saturday morning. A Frost
Advisory or a Freeze Watch/Warning could be needed.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time.

AMZ330-350-352-354-374-012215-
Charleston Harbor-
Waters from South Santee River to Edisto Beach SC out 20 NM-
Waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM-
Waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA out 20 NM, including
Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary-
Waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA from 20 to 60 NM-
606 PM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
848 PM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

SCZ045-050-052-010115-
Inland Berkeley-Tidal Berkeley-Charleston-
848 PM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF CHARLESTON AND
BERKELEY COUNTIES...

At 847 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Daniel Island, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph and up to nickel sized hail.

SOURCE...Radar Indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to plants,
         trees and crops is possible. Damage to windshields is
         unlikely.

Some locations in the path of this storm include...
North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Naval Weapons
Station Charleston, Daniel Island, Downtown Charleston and Ladson.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Report damage directly to the Charleston National Weather Service at
888-383-2024 when it is safe to do so. You can also email your
report to nws.charlestonsc@noaa.gov.

&&

LAT...LON 3288 7955 3274 7983 3272 7985 3299 8010
      3308 7958 3291 7954
TIME...MOT...LOC 0047Z 256DEG 33KT 3289 7991

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
852 PM EDT WED MAR 31 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0747 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 NNE HENDERSONVILLE    32.84N  80.70W
03/31/2021                   COLLETON           SC   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            TREE DOWN ON HENDERSONVILLE HIGHWAY NEAR SEE SAW ROAD.

&&

EVENT NUMBER CHS2100117

33

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
902 PM EDT WED MAR 31 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0859 PM     MARINE TSTM WIND 2 WSW FOLLY BEACH       32.64N  79.97W
03/31/2021  M47 MPH          CHARLESTON         SC   MESONET

            THE WEATHERFLOW SENSOR ON THE SOUTH END OF FOLLY BEACH
            REPORTED A WIND GUST OF 41 KNOTS.

&&

EVENT NUMBER CHS2100118

33

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
910 PM EDT WED MAR 31 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0855 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 S WEST ASHLEY         32.77N  80.01W
03/31/2021  M56 MPH          CHARLESTON         SC   PUBLIC

&&

EVENT NUMBER CHS2100119

33

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
912 PM EDT WED MAR 31 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0751 PM     MARINE TSTM WIND 6 WSW FOREST BEACH      32.11N  80.84W
03/31/2021  M46 MPH          AMZ352             SC   MESONET

            THE WEATHERFLOW SENSOR AT CALIBOGUE SOUND REPORTED A
            WIND GUST OF 40 KNOTS.

&&

EVENT NUMBER CHS2100120

33

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
913 PM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

SCZ045-050-010145-
Inland Berkeley-Charleston-
913 PM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF CHARLESTON AND
BERKELEY COUNTIES...

At 912 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Garris Landing, or 12 miles northeast of
Mount Pleasant, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar Indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects.

Some locations in the path of this storm include...
Mount Pleasant, McClellanville, Isle Of Palms, Awendaw, Garris
Landing, Mount Pleasant Regional Airport, Hampton Plantation State
Park and Price Inlet.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas. Do not drive your
vehicle through flooded roadways.

Report damage directly to the Charleston National Weather Service at
888-383-2024 when it is safe to do so. You can also email your
report to nws.charlestonsc@noaa.gov.

&&

LAT...LON 3310 7927 3307 7931 3299 7933 3298 7951
      3288 7955 3277 7977 3316 7981 3325 7954
      3324 7950 3325 7948 3323 7948 3324 7946
      3322 7945 3316 7937 3314 7927
TIME...MOT...LOC 0112Z 248DEG 37KT 3294 7964

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH