Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Riceboro, GA

KEY MESSAGES
- 1) Periodic showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue through the weekend.

DISCUSSION
KEY MESSAGE 1: Periodic showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue through the weekend.

Through tonight: The forecast area will remain within zonal flow with west-southwest flow maintaining a feed of deep moisture. Precipitable water values will persist in the 2" range as a result. Forcing for ascent remains quite subtle and as a result we are only expecting to see rounds of showers and isolated thunderstorms through the evening. In fact, the area continues to sit within a feed of cloud cover that is keeping temperatures in the low to mid 80s so far and limiting instability. Therefore, most of the activity through the evening will be just showers with only an isolated threat of a thunderstorm. We should see shower coverage diminish greatly for the overnight and the area should be mostly dry.

Thursday and Thursday night: This time period is likely the most interesting due to the expected close passage of the remnant circulation of Arthur during the evening and overnight.
Model consensus suggests that the morning and the first part of the afternoon should be relatively quiet. Thunderstorm activity is expected then increase from the west late in the afternoon and through the evening as the remnant circulation shifts through central GA and into the SC Upstate and Midlands. Though the best forcing and greatest coverage is expected to be focused to the northwest and north, the forecast will sit solidly on the periphery of a threat of severe weather and heavy rainfall.
Model soundings show the potential for 30-40 knots of deep layer shear and possibly some backing of the low-level flow depending on the condition of the remnant circulation. Instability will be weak, but any thunderstorms that develop in the evening through early morning hours will need to be watched closely for a damaging wind threat. The potential for locally heavy rainfall will come mainly from training storms thanks to a relatively fast storm motion. Shower and thunderstorm potential should begin to wane as sunrise Friday approaches and the circulation starts to pass to the east.

Also of note for Thursday will be a return of temperatures into the low 90s. With dewpoints getting into the mid to upper 70s along the coastal corridor, we will likely see heat index values up to around 105 with pockets potentially up to 107-108.

Friday through Sunday: Another active day appears likely Friday as the forecast area sits ahead of a cold front approaching from the north. Mid-level flow will continue to be elevated, yielding some available shear in the presence of a warm moist and unstable environment. A few severe storms with damaging wind gusts will be possible. The front should sag through the area by Saturday and we expect to see a return to a more typical summertime pattern of diurnal showers and thunderstorms for the weekend.

AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/
The 18z TAF period begins with VFR conditions at KCHS, KJZI, and KSAV. The main concern is for showers and brief periods of MVFR through the rest of the afternoon and into the early evening. These showers are moving quickly so any rainfall should be short-lived, as well as any MVFR ceilings and visibilities.
We have included TEMPO groups at all 3 sites to cover the 18-23z time period. West- southwest winds will also be breezy, with frequent gusts into the 18-22 knot range. Shower activity should dissipate in the evening and conditions should be rain- free and VFR into Thursday morning. The risk for thunderstorms on Thursday is expected to be beyond the 18z TAF period.

Extended Aviation Outlook: VFR conditions should largely prevail through the weekend, with brief periods of flight restrictions possible with any showers and thunderstorms.

MARINE
Tonight through Friday: Gusty southwest winds are expected across the waters through late week in between high pressure offshore and an approaching cold front and remnants of Arthur.
While a few gusts around 25 knots are possible through tonight, especially over the SC waters, the time period of most concern is Thursday night into Friday when gusts reach 25-30 kts and seas build to 4-6 feet. Small Craft Advisories have been issued for all coastal waters outside of the Charleston Harbor (though one will likely be needed here at some point as well). A few gusts in the low 30 kt range are possible, but should largely stay shy of gale force. NBM probs for gusts >34 knots is generally 30-40%.

Saturday through Monday: Marine conditions will subside Saturday with no additional concerns through the weekend.
Another front could approach the area on Monday, potentially leading to increasing winds and seas.

Rip Currents: Increasing swells and gusty winds will lead to an elevated risk of rip currents on Friday. Local rip current calculations produce a Moderate Risk at Charleston county beaches, with a Low elsewhere.

CLIMATE
Record High Minimum Temperatures:

June 18: KCHS: 78/2015 KCXM: 81/1998

June 19: KCHS: 79/2025 KCXM: 81/2025 KSAV: 79/1881

June 22: KCHS: 79/2018 KSAV: 78/1937

June 23: KCHS: 78/2024 KCXM: 82/1998 KSAV: 77/2017

CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
GA...None.
SC...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 2 PM Thursday to 8 PM EDT Friday for AMZ360.
Small Craft Advisory from 8 PM Thursday to 8 PM EDT Friday for AMZ362.
Small Craft Advisory from 2 AM to 5 PM EDT Friday for AMZ364.
Small Craft Advisory from 2 AM to 8 PM EDT Friday for AMZ384.