Enjoy the cooler temperatures on Thursday because the same high-pressure system that pushed the cold air onto South Carolina is slowly moving east, and with this movement comes a change in the direction of the wind. The below-average temperatures we had on Wednesday and Thursday will quickly turn to near-average temperatures on Thursday, between 5 to 10 degrees above average between Friday and Tuesday, and stay around 5 degrees above average for much of the second half of next week.
Thursday's highs will reach the 70s across much of the state, with some cities in the Midlands that could come close to the 80s. The northeast winds will shift and come in from the south by the evening, keeping the temperatures warmer than they've been the last couple of nights across South Carolina. On average, each night will increase the temperature by 5 to 8 degrees over the next 3 nights. Friday night, the Midlands will be around the low 50s, then upper-50s on Saturday night and low-60s on Sunday night.
Easter warm-up!
The weekend afternoons will be the ones making headlines. Expect the hottest day on Saturday, as temperatures will peak in the 90s across the Midlands, mid-80s Upstate, and low to mid-80s across the Coast. Sunday afternoon temperatures will remain toasty, with much of South Carolina staying in the 80s. Plan your outdoor activities carefully, dress accordingly, and stay hydrated. Also, remember that the Sun's angle is shifting and the UV index is high, so use sunscreen.
While most inland areas of South Carolina will remain dry, there is a chance for a few light passing showers to move over the Lowcountry and PeeDee starting Monday night, with about 30 percent during the afternoons Monday through Wednesday. This will be mainly due to the winds carrying some moisture from the Atlantic over the coast. These showers will not be long-lasting or strong, but scattered at best.
Will the next cold front arrive soon?
The high-pressure system to our east will hold strong, keeping the weekend system to the north. Therefore, the temperatures will increase. But by the middle of the next week, the high will finally start to break and allow a front to get closer to the Palmetto State. We are not expecting heavy rains to come with this system. Still, rain chances will increase by Wednesday as the cold front loses its speed near South Carolina, or just to the north, and becomes stationary on Wednesday, providing instability which could lead to a few more scattered rainshowers across the entire state, and perhaps a few storms.