Fall weather has made an appearance across South Carolina, bringing crisp mornings, sunny afternoons and a noticeable shift from summer's unbearable humidity.
A stout cold front swept through the region over the weekend, allowing temperatures this week to drop into the 50s and 60s for lows, which is on the order of 5–10 degrees below average.
A typical low in Greenville during early September is around 65 degrees, but for the next several days forecast models show lows ranging from the 55–60-degree range.
In the Midlands, temperatures are expected to drop into the lower 60s for lows and reach the low to mid-80s for daytime highs.
Along the coast, temperatures are expected to bottom out in the mid-60s, with warm sea surface temperatures and cloud cover helping to keep conditions milder, with highs reaching the low to mid 80s.
While the cool mornings may warrant a light jacket, temperatures will remain well above record levels. Record lows for this time of year are in the low to mid-50s.
A ridge of high pressure will dominate the weather over the workweek, keeping skies mostly clear for most regions.
The same front that helped usher in the cooler air mass is stuck offshore, meaning coastal communities from the Lowcountry to the Grand Strand may see additional clouds and a few scattered showers; however, the next few days are not expected to be washouts.
Minimal rainfall coverage is also good news because coastal communities will be seeing higher tides, which are known as king tides.
A king tide occurs when the alignment of the Earth and the Moon produce the greatest gravitational effects of the year, which leads to higher water levels and minor coastal flooding.
The cooler weather likely won’t be a permanent feature, as the latest outlook from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center indicates South Carolina has a higher probability of experiencing above-normal temperatures through November.
Does the cooler weather impact fall foliage?
While the cooler weather is a signal that astronomical fall is right around the corner, the Canadian air mass will not hasten the leaf foliage process.
Instead, the cooler temperatures could promote the formation of anthocyanin in the leaves, allowing for vibrant hues of reds to emerge during the foliage season, according to the U.S. Park Service.
As daylight hours shorten, chlorophyll production gradually slows, causing the green pigment in leaves to fade, which allows the classic fall tones to become visible.
