Charleston is waking to partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-50s Saturday, with a mostly sunny afternoon ahead—but wind and water are the real local story. The high should reach 72 degrees as northeast winds run 14 to 20 mph and gust up to 28 mph.
Saturday’s Sunshine Comes With A Strong Breeze
Dry conditions are expected through the day, while Saturday night stays dry, with gusty conditions continuing. The National Weather Service expects the northeast wind to remain noticeable overnight, running 13 to 18 mph.
Beach Conditions Turn Dangerous
A high risk of rip currents is in effect Saturday and Sunday, and a High Surf Advisory begins at 2 p.m. Saturday and continues through 5 p.m. Monday. Large breaking waves, rough surf and beach erosion will make swimming risky, even under bright skies; anyone entering the water should stay near a lifeguard and avoid swimming alone.
High Tides Could Make Next Week Messy
A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect through 9 a.m. Saturday for shorelines and tidal waterways, where water could reach up to a foot above normally dry ground. The latest update sharpens the picture from Friday’s Hoodline forecast, with the National Weather Service now warning that repeated moderate to major coastal flooding could develop Sunday through Wednesday.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning high tides are expected to be the most concerning, and Charleston could exceed the threshold used for major flooding. Drivers should never go around barricades or through water of unknown depth, particularly along low-lying roads near tidal areas.
Dry Weather Holds As Temperatures Slowly Rebound
Sunday stays bright with a high near 73 degrees and gusts up to 31 mph, followed by a sunny Monday near 73. Dry conditions are expected through early next week, with temperatures gradually warming.
Overnight lows will generally range from the lower 50s to upper 50s through the week. For Charleston, the forecast is less about rain than timing: enjoy the sunshine, but plan around the wind, surf and high-tide cycles.
