Well, a little play on words.  You knew it was going to happen.  Not more than a month ago, we were still dealing with highs in the 50′s and lows below freezing.  Just like a snap of your fingers, we change the month and our weather changes just as fast.  It almost seems like we have skipped spring and gone right into summer.  Well, maybe its not that hot, but it sure feels good outside.  In fact, we tied the record high of 86 on Thursday. 

The pattern has done a complete 180 and now all the cold air is locked up in the western U.S. and that has allowed a ridge of high pressure to build across the southeast.  Temperatures have been above normal all week and there isn’t much change in store for next week.

Pollen has also been a factor in our weather lately.  It seems to be everywhere and a few showers would be very timely right now, but unfortunately, it doesn’t look like its going to happen.  That’s it for here at the Mighty 5.  We’ll keep you updated of course when weather happens, but until then have a great Easter Sunday !!  Sunrise by the way is at 7:04 am.

Brad

Well the weather this past weekend really doesn’t get much better.  After a cold and wet winter, finally Mother Nature reminded us why we live here.  Sunshine both Saturday and Sunday with highs in the 60′s.  Of course, just as the weather turned mild, I get a cold and am feeeling a bit “under the weather” this weekend.  A little Nyquil before bed will hopefully get me a good nights sleep. 

Anyway, we stay mild to start the work week, but showers are possible for the morning and evening drive on Monday.  Looks like our taste of spring is going to be just be a tease, because the end of the week looks chilly once again.  The good news is that we are headed towards March and climatologically the normal highs continue to climb.  That first 80 degree day is on the horizon and before you know it we’ll be talking about the pollen and the humidity. 

Have a great week everyone !!

Brad

Its has been a while, but temperatures are going to finally return to normal, but it’s going to take a few more days.  The Siberian Express has finally come to a halt and our weather will return to a more normal winter pattern heading into late week.  It doesn’t mean that we won’t see any more cold snaps, but at least we won’t be dealing with temps in the teens for a while.  With the exception of January 1st, the Charleston International Airport has recorded a low temperature below freezing every day this year.  The way it looks right now, this Friday morning will be the first morning that we do not fall below 32 degrees.  That will make it almost 2 weeks straight with morning lows below freezing.  While we have had cold snaps of this magnitude, never for this long.  Funny thing is that we have only tied the record low one morning through this period.  This Arctic intrusion has been widespread and its icy grip has impacted Florida and the orange crop as well.  We will not know for several days how substantial the damage is, but several farmers have already determined that the freezing temps have ruined several acres of citrus fruit.

Beginning Thursday, highs should reach into the 60′s along with lots of sunshine.  Our next rain chance comes on Saturday as an area of low pressure moves up from the Gulf States.  With a deep trough developing in the west, Arctic air will be forced to drain across the Rockies and California.  This will help a ridge develop over the eastern states and allow for temperatures to return to normal next week.  Normal highs for this time of the year are around 60 while overnight lows are near 40.  Have a great Monday and smile !!

Brad

The Blizzard of 2009 is now in the books.  Since Friday, 1 to 2 feet of snow fell from North Carolina up the I-95 Corridor into Boston.  Washington, DC received 20 inches, Baltimore 21 inches, Philadelphia 21 inches and over a foot in Central Park.  If you are from the Northeast, snow totals from this storm rivaled the President’s Day storm of 1978 and the Blizzard of 1996.

Luckily, we “escaped” with heavy rain and some gusty winds, although, after this past rain event, this has now become the wettest December on record in downtown Charleston and so far the second wettest December at the Charleston International Airport.  Rainfall so far this month – 9.02 inches at the airport and 9.72 inches downtown.

Thankfully, we’ve got a few dry days ahead of us.  Temperatures will remain on the cool side and there is no rain in the forecast until Christmas Eve.  Highs will approach 60 degrees by Tuesday with overnight lows in the chilly 30′s.  Have a great week and say hi to Santa for me !!

Brad

After a fairly uneventful November, December started out with a bang.  Several tornado watches were in effect on Wednesday night up and down the southeast coast.  While only one tornado was confirmed in Florida, heavy rain fell across the Lowcountry and flooded downtown.  In fact almost 3 inches of rain fell within a 12 hour period.  Another weather system is quickly developing in the eastern Gulf this morning.  This system will move northeast across Florida and rain spread across the area beginning tonight.  Unfortunately, it will linger into Saturday providing us with a wet, cold start to the weekend.

This same weather system will provide parts of Texas and the Gulf states with some wintery weather.  In fact, Houston is expecting 2-4 inches of snow by tomorrow morning.  The upstate of South Carolina may see a few flakes, but not enough to accumulate.  Maybe next time.  By the way, if you are headed down to Tampa, Florida Saturday night for the ACC Championship, the weather looks dry, but cool for kickoff.  Partly cloudy skies are expected down there with temperatures near 50.  Say hi to Kevin Bilodeau if you see him.  He’ll be down there coverning the game for Live 5 Sports.

That’s about it for now.  Cross your fingers and hope for the rain to move out quicker.  Sunday doesn’t look too bad.  The sun will be out, but highs will only be in the upper 50′s.  Have a great weekend everyone !!

Brad

Category 2 Hurricane Ida continues churning in the Gulf of Mexico tonight and will threaten the Gulf States by Monday night.  Hurricane watches and warnings have been posted as Ida is expected to make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane.  While its not uncommon to track a tropical system in November, it is uncommon to have a Category 2 hurricane bearing down on the U.S.  The current track takes Ida into southern Alabama then turning east towards Georgia as a cold front moves into the southeast.  By this time the storm will have been downgraded to a depression, but its slow movement may bring flooding rains to parts of the Southeast.

Here in the Lowcountry, we can expect rain and some gusty winds as early as Tuesday and continuing until maybe Thursday.  Also, rough surf and rip currents are possible along with some beach erosion.  We’ll of course keep you updated over the next few days and let you know if there is any change in the track of Ida.  Have a great Monday !!

Brad

Well fall is here and it definitely felt like it early last week.  A few areas dipped into the 40′s last Tuesday and Wednesday morning and highs never got out of the 70′s.  Now we’re back in the 80′s and some areas may flirt with 90 before next weekend.  However, Monday will be quite the anomaly as a “cool air wedge” sets up.  Northeast winds along with lots of clouds and showers will keep high temperatures struggling to reach 70 degrees.  We can use the rain after the second driest September on record.  The rest of the work week looks warm with highs well into the 80′s and just a slight chance for afternoon showers.

The tropics remain quiet for the moment and we heading intot he home stretch now with less than two months remaining in the season.  Hard to believe that we have had only 6 named storms, but haven’t heard too many complaints.  That’s it for now.  Have a great Monday as you dodge the raindrops.

Brad

Hard to believe, but we are now at the peak of hurricane season.  Fred has weakened to a remnant low and the National Hurricane Center has discontinued all advisories.  Through the midway point of the season we have had 6 named storms and two hurricanes, both which have become major hurricanes.  Thankfully, neither have had an impact on our weather.  In fact, Tropical Storm Claudette has been the only storm to effect the U.S.  We still need to watch the tropics very closely, especially through the middle of October.  Remember Hugo hit on September 21st.  We’ll of course keep you updated until the end of the hurricane season on November 30th.

Our weather looks very nice for the remainder of the weekend and really not much change to the overall pattern until next week.  Have a great Sunday !!

Brad

Just the way we like it.  The weather pattern remains fairly quiet this weekend.  The old Bermuda High has locked in over the western Atlantic and will keep our weather “normal” into next week.  What’s normal you ask?  Highs this time of the year are in the low 90′s with overnight lows in the 70′s.  Of course the humidity is there and we can’t rule out scattered late day storms.  Some days have a better chance for rain than others, but typically 20-30% covers it.

The tropics remain eerily quiet as we wrap up July.  Pretty safe to say that we are not going to have a named storm before August.  While its not unheard of to have no named storms through the first 2 months of hurricane season, just gets everyone a little uneasy because you know its not going to last and wonder if Mother Nature is going to make up for lost time in the remaining months.  We’ll enjoy the quiet tropics, but my gut tells me that its not going to stay this quiet much longer.

Alright, need to grab some grub and get back for the FOX news at 10 and the big 11 PM broadcast.  Have a great Sunday everyone !!

Brad

Well, into late July and still no named storms (crossing fingers) for the tropics.  Not much out there at the moment, but a few areas of interest continue to be monitored for possible development.  One area in particular is approaching the Lesser Antilles.  This is basically the eastern end of the Caribbean Sea.  A tropical wave with some circulation continues to plague the islands and is forecast to move towards the Bahamas over the next few days.  Shear continues to slow any kind of rapid development – but some forecast models expect the shear to diminish over the weekend which could allow for a little more development.  Even if something doesn’t come out of this system, the Atlantic is primed for some tropical action over the next several weeks.  Late August through early October is usually the peak of hurricane season, so of course we’ll keep an eye on the tropics and keep you updated.

Anyway, the weather here looks great for Sunday, so get out and enjoy the rest of the weekend !!

Brad