Thursday Forecast Discussion

A storm located about 200 miles off the South Carolina coastline can be to blame for a cloudy, windy and sometimes rainy day ahead. An area of low pressure has become a little bit better organized this morning producing tropical storm force conditions off the coast. This storm is non-tropical in nature at this time but may gain tropical characteristics later today. Bottom line is that a storm, with the strength of a weak “tropical storm” will be pushing on shore somewhere near the Grand Strand late today. Heavy rainfall will be confined very close to the center of this storm. The best bet of seeing heavier rain will fall north of I-26, from Georgetown County towards the Grandstrand. Everyone will see windy conditions with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 or 45 along the coast. A coastal flood advisory is in effect for this afternoon for minor flooding in low lying areas near high tide. High tide this afternoon will be at 5:44 in the Charleston Harbor. Beach erosion and dangerous rip currents will also impact the coastline. High surf advisory is in effect today, along with gale warnings on the coastal waters and in the Charleston Harbor. Rain showers will continue during the overnight period but start to taper off tomorrow morning as the winds begin to settle down. By the weekend, we will see drier air work in and that will allow temperatures to warm up. We will see partly cloudy skies on Saturday with mostly sunny conditions on Sunday. Highs this weekend in the low to mid 80’s.