Coastal low to bring rain, wind, rip currents to Charleston area

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – A coastal low is expected to bring heavy rain, breezy conditions, and the risk of dangerous rip currents to much of the Charleston Metro on Wednesday into Thursday.

The non-tropical area of low pressure, located off the Florida and Georgia coast, could form Thursday; however, forecasters with the National Hurricane Center said development will likely happen inland over the Carolinas.

“As a result, the low’s chances of acquiring subtropical or tropical characteristics have diminished.  Regardless of development, heavy rainfall could cause some flash flooding along portions of the southeastern U.S. coast today and on Thursday,” the NHC said in its tropical weather outlook Wednesday morning.

Locally, the system will bring heavy rainfall, windy conditions, and an increased risk for strong rip currents to the area, especially along the beaches.

Forecasters say bands of showers and thunderstorms, which could be heavy at times, will move across the area with rainfall amounts between 1-3 inches possible along or east of I-95, and the highest amount happening over the tri-county and downtown Charleston into the evening. Conditions will begin to clear on Thursday.

Minor flooding is possible in low-lying and poor drainage areas through Wednesday night.