Charleston is starting Sunday around 59 degrees under partly cloudy skies, with sunshine and a high near 74 expected later. But the coast faces a more serious mix of hazards, including flooding around high tide, northeast gusts near 30 mph, rough surf and dangerous rip currents.
Flooding And Surf Take Center Stage
A Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect through 11 a.m. Sunday for Charleston-area shorelines and tidal waterways, where saltwater could rise 1 to 2 feet above ground level. High tide is expected around 7:34 a.m., and the National Weather Service Charleston warns that low-lying roads may become impassable; drivers should not go around barricades or cross water of unknown depth.
The High Surf Advisory continues through 5 p.m. Monday, with breaking waves of 4 to 6 feet in the surf zone. A high risk of rip currents lasts through Sunday evening, so inexperienced swimmers should stay out of the water and everyone else should swim near a lifeguard.
Strong Winds Make A Sunny Day Feel Sharper
Northeast winds will run 15 to 21 mph Sunday, with gusts as high as 30 mph during the afternoon. Tonight stays mostly clear with a low near 55, while winds remain brisk at 12 to 20 mph and could gust to 28 mph.
The latest warning is a sharper update from Saturday’s Hoodline forecast: the sunshine is holding, but the water-related risks have intensified. Beach plans, waterfront walks and Sunday driving should be timed around high tide rather than the pleasant-looking forecast icon.
Dry Weather Holds Through Midweek
Monday and Tuesday remain sunny, with highs near 73 and 75 degrees and overnight lows around 53 and 56. Wednesday stays mostly sunny near 75, while Thursday brings the first notable rain chance of the week, with a slight chance of showers after 8 a.m. and a 20% chance of precipitation.
Friday and Saturday warm to around 77 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Even as the thermometer gradually rebounds, coastal flooding concerns are expected to continue around several high-tide cycles early in the week.
