Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for James, SC

NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/
The mid-levels consist of WNW flow over our region. Heights should gradually rise into the night. At the surface, High pressure over the Deep South this afternoon will move closer, likely being centered just south of our region late tonight. The High will dominate our weather, bringing dry conditions.
The 12Z CHS sounding only had a PWAT of 0.16", which is extremely dry for this time of year. However, PWATs should gradually rise to above 0.5" overnight, leading to rising dew points. Despite nearly full sunshine, high temperatures are still on track to peak in the lower to middle 50s, which is 10-15 degrees below normal. A very modest uptick in mid/high level clouds are expected tonight. Lows should be a little milder, ranging from the upper 20s to lower 30s inland, and warmer along the immediate coast. Cold Weather Advisories are not anticipated for tonight/early Sunday.

SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/
Surface high pressure will slowly shift off the southeastern coast on Sunday, while to the west a cold front progresses eastward across TX. Aloft ridging will also push off the southeastern coast Sunday and into Monday as a shortwave trough ripples eastward along the southern periphery of a larger scale trough. Tuesday the large scale trough will amplify further, taking on an almost negative tilt Tuesday night as it progresses towards the east coast along with an associated surface cold front. Sunday will remain rain-free, with some isolated showers possible Monday afternoon as the shortwave ripples through the southeastern states. Rain chances will increase heading into Tuesday as moisture surges into the region ahead of the approaching cold front, with PWATs forecast to reach upwards of 1.5". Temperatures will follow a warming trend, with mid to upper 60s on Sunday increasing to the mid to upper 70s by Tuesday.

LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/
The long term period continues to look rather unsettled, with a cold front pushing through the region Wednesday and another cooler airmass returning late in the week. Precipitation chances are forecast to peak Tuesday night into Wednesday, with showers exiting the region by Thursday morning. While the forecast does not include mention of thunder at this juncture, NBM thunder probs (while still meager at best) have increased from this time yesterday. If model trends continue to trend this way at least a slight chance of thunder may need to be added to the forecast Tuesday night into Wednesday. Once the cold front pushes through Wednesday night is forecast to dip into the upper 20s inland with 30s elsewhere.
Thursday will likely be another chilly day, with many locations struggling to get above 50. A gradual warm up is then expected Friday and into the weekend.

Lake Wind: Gusty winds ahead of the approaching cold front could approach 25 knots on Lake Moultrie Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. A Lake Wind Advisory may be required.

AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/
18Z TAFs: VFR.

Extended Aviation Outlook: VFR conditions will prevail through the remainder of the weekend. Conditions will become more unsettled by Tuesday when rain chances increase and the potential for at least brief periods of flight restrictions increases as well.

MARINE
Today and Tonight: Surface High pressure over the region will yield light and variable winds during the day. Winds will turn to the SW and increase during the evening, becoming sustained 10-15 kt overnight. Seas will average 2-3 ft.

Sunday through Thursday: High pressure will remain the dominant feature over the marine waters Sunday and into Monday. Winds will generally be SW around 10 knots with seas averaging 1 to 2 ft. A cold front will approach the region Tuesday, pushing through the marine waters on Wednesday. SW winds are forecast to surge Tuesday night into Wednesday ahead of the cold front, generally around 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots. Seas are forecast to increase to 3 to 5 ft, with some 6 ft seas impacting the 20 to 60 nm offshore GA waters and the nearshore Charleston County waters. Small Craft Advisories will likely be required for all marine zones beginning as early as Tuesday night, possibly including the Charleston Harbor. As high pressure builds back into the region post-FROPA on Thursday N winds will diminish to around 10 knots, with seas decreasing to 1 to 3 ft.

CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
GA...None.
SC...None.
MARINE...None.