After a warmer-than-usual fall, Charleston residents may need to wear sweaters and flannels for the next few days. A cold front moving through the region will bring some of the coldest temperatures of the fall season so far.
A cold front from the north passed through the region on the night of November 20th. The National Weather Service in Charleston expects another cold front from the Great Lakes region to move in by the evening of Nov. 21.
Temperatures have already begun to drop since the morning of November 21st and are expected to continue to drop into the evening. Meteorologist Brian Haines said residents can expect the coldest daytime and nighttime temperatures on Friday, November 22nd. Daytime temperatures are in the mid-50s, dropping to the mid-30s to low 40s at night.
Daytime temperatures may warm up after that, but nighttime temperatures are likely to remain low into the weekend.
Those living near Charleston Harbor are likely to experience warmer temperatures this weekend than those living inland.
Water heats and cools more slowly than air. Haynes said the harbor is cooling, but at a slower rate than the atmosphere, retaining much of the heat absorbed during the summer.
“It’s like a natural air conditioner or a natural heat pump,” Haynes says.
This fall has been warm, with November 2024 being more than 8 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than normal, Haynes said.
“Atmosphere is like a rubber band,” he said. “You’ll have a long period of above-normal temperatures, but somewhere along the way you’ll have a period of even colder temperatures. That’s exactly how it works.”
Mr Haynes said temperatures were likely to rise again between Sunday 24th and Monday 25th November.
