Charleston is waking up to clear skies and temperatures near 57 degrees Thursday morning, but the city is headed for one more warm afternoon before fall finally gets serious. The high should reach about 77 degrees, with dry weather giving way to stronger winds and a noticeable chill after sunset.
Breezy west-southwesterly winds are expected through the day, with gusts as high as 26 mph. A cold front is expected to cross the area from late afternoon into early evening, but the passage should stay dry with no rain in the forecast.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up Before The Front
The breeziest stretch arrives from late morning through the afternoon, which could make waterfront walks, outdoor plans and bridge crossings feel considerably windier than the thermometer suggests. The National Weather Service in Charleston says winds should ease later Thursday night as cooler air settles in.
Boaters have a rougher window to navigate, with a Small Craft Advisory covering much of the local coastal waters Thursday into early Friday. Seas may build to 4 to 6 feet offshore, while Charleston Harbor could see gusts of roughly 20 to 25 knots around the front.
Weekend Turns Cooler, Frost Risk Inland
Friday will be sunny but cooler, with a high near 64 degrees and an overnight low around 44. Saturday will top out near 59 degrees and Sunday near 61 degrees, while nighttime temperatures fall to around 41, making Saturday night into Sunday morning the coldest part of the weekend.
Charleston's immediate coast should stay milder, but inland parts of the Lowcountry face a growing chance of patchy frost, especially away from the coast and near or west of Interstate 95. The updated frost outlook adds detail to Hoodline's earlier forecast as the cold front draws closer.
Milder Weather Returns Next Week
Mostly sunny skies return Monday with a high near 61, followed by another partly sunny 61-degree day Tuesday. High pressure builds into the region through early next week, with partly sunny or mostly sunny skies.
