Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Thunderbolt, GA

KEY MESSAGES
- 1)A High Risk of rip currents remains in effect for Georgia beaches through this evening.

- 2) Warming temperatures and rain-free conditions through this weekend and into next week.

DISCUSSION
KEY MESSAGE 1: A High Risk of rip currents remains in effect for Georgia beaches through this evening.

The combination of gusty northeast winds and elevated seas will continue to support dangerous rip currents through the evening.
Therefore, a High Risk of rip currents will be in effect at the Georgia beaches, with a Moderate Risk along the South Carolina beaches. Expect winds and seas to begin to settle through the weekend.

.KEY MESSAGE 2: Warming temperatures and rain-free conditions through this weekend and into next week.

High pressure will dominate the southeastern states through the weekend, shifting offshore early next week. Aloft, ridging will build into the region from the Gulf. This ridge is expected to be anomalously strong, yielding warming temperatures and rain-free conditions. Unfortunately, this pattern will provide no relief to the severe and extreme drought conditions across the SC Lowcountry and SE Georgia as the 7-day rainfall forecast is 0". High temperatures late weekend and into next week will warm to 5 to 10 degrees above mid-April normals with some 90s in the forecast towards the middle of the week. Nothing in the forecast looks to be record breaking, however we could come close on some days next week.

AVIATION /06Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/
Prevailing VFR through the 06Z TAF period at KCHS/KJZI/KSAV. A sea breeze is forecast to push inland this afternoon, shifting winds at the terminals from NE to E. Light and variable winds are forecast to develop shortly after sunset. Just outside of the 06Z TAF period there are some indications that fog could develop around the terminals late tonight/early tomorrow morning.

Extended Aviation Outlook: VFR.

MARINE
Today: As the pressure gradient begins to relax, high pressure will settle overhead. Expect northeasterly winds to range from 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Easterly swell will continue to taper back, however seas will range 4 to 6 ft in the nearshore waters and 6 to 8 ft in the outer Georgia waters through the evening.
Therefore, Small Craft Advisories will remain in effect for the nearshore and outer Georgia waters through this evening, with the Georgia waters holding on a bit longer.

Saturday through Wednesday: As high pressure shifts more offshore this weekend, winds will shift more southerly and speeds will average less than 15 kt. Easterly swell will continue to subside, however the Small Craft Advisory for the outer Georgia will remain in effect until Saturday afternoon given the lingering 6 footers.
Afterwards, expect seas to range from 2 to 3 ft in the nearshore and 3 to 4 ft in the outer Georgia waters. Marine conditions should remain almost tranquil through early next week and no additional concerns to report with this forecast update.

CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
GA...High Risk for Rip Currents through this evening for GAZ117-119-139- 141.
SC...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 2 PM EDT this afternoon for AMZ350- 352.
Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM EDT this afternoon for AMZ354.
Small Craft Advisory until 2 PM EDT Saturday for AMZ374.