Charleston Severe Weather Warnings, Watches and Advisories
Select the Advisory Below for Details
Begins: 6:32 PM Sun, Sep 7, 2025Expires: 10:00 PM Sun, Sep 7, 2025Begins: 7:00 PM Sun, Sep 7, 2025Expires: 10:00 PM Sun, Sep 7, 2025
FLOOD WARNING
Begins: 6:32 PM Sun, Sep 7, 2025
Expires: 10:00 PM Sun, Sep 7, 2025
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
* WHERE...A portion of southeast South Carolina, including the
following county, Charleston.
* WHEN...Until 1000 PM EDT.
* IMPACTS...Numerous roads remain closed due to flooding. Expect
many areas of slow moving or standing water. It will take several
hours for all the water from these storms to work through local
drainage systems in urban areas.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 625 PM EDT, emergency management officials continued to
report road closures across much of the Downtown Charleston
area from earlier flooding rains. Drainage of flood waters
will become increasingly hampered as high tide approaches in
the Charleston Harbor, which will occur shortly after 830 PM.
Tide levels are expected to peak in the 7.0 to 7.2 ft mean
lower low water range which, in itself, would typically
produce salt water flooding in parts of Downtown Charleston.
The combination of ongoing fresh water flooding and
increasing saltwater flooding will likely produce additional
road closures and other impacts across the Downtown area.
- Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Downtown Charleston, Marion Square, Medical University Of
South Carolina, Columbus Street Terminal and The Citadel.
- This includes I-26 near mile marker 221.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY
Begins: 7:00 PM Sun, Sep 7, 2025
Expires: 10:00 PM Sun, Sep 7, 2025
* WHAT...Up to one half foot of inundation above ground level
expected along shorelines and tidal waterways (7.0 to 7.2 feet
Mean Lower Low Water at Charleston).
* WHERE...Coastal Colleton and Charleston Counties.
* WHEN...Until 10 PM EDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...This could result in some roads becoming impassable.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tide will occur around 8:30 PM today
at Charleston. Saltwater inundation will be possible 1 to 2
hours before and after high tide.
What is the difference between a weather warning, watch and advisory?
The National Weather Service issues alerts in different categories to indicate the severity of storms and if the public should take immediate action to prevent the loss of life or property or be aware of the potential of the same.
Weather Warning
A weather warning is issued when severe weather conditions are occuring or imminent and there is danger to life and/or property. The warning will include what action should be taken including evacuation or shelter in place and should be heeded immediately. Warnings are usually issued for a small, specific area and for a definite period of time.
Weather Watch
A weather watch is an alert issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather. A weather watch means that severe weather is possible in the area, so it is important to stay tuned to the latest forecasts and be prepared for potential storms.
The purpose of a weather watch is to provide advance warning to people in the affected area so that they can take necessary precautions. It is important to remember that a weather watch does not mean that severe weather will definitely occur, but simply that there is a higher chance of it happening.
If you live in an area where severe weather is common, it may be wise to have a plan in place for what you will do if a storm hits. Make sure you have plenty of food and water stored, as well as flashlights, batteries, and other supplies. You may also want to consider evacuating if necessary.
Weather Advisory
An advisory means the conditions are likely to occur. These are typically used for less severe weather events like frost or winds but can be used for other types of severe weather.
What is a Red Flag Warning?
A red flag warning is issued by the National Weather Service to inform the public, firefighters, and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fires and any fire which does start could spread rapidly. These are often issued after drought conditions, when humidity is very low and especially when there are high or erratic winds. The possibility of lightning is also a determining factor. Fire fighting agencies often will increase their staffing and equipment resources due to the forecast risk. For the public, a Red Flag Warning often means high fire danger leading to restrictions or bans on outdoor burning including burn piles, burn barrels and campfires. Use of anything which may produce sparks, including outdoor lawn equipment, chainsaws and welding, may be restricted or prohibited.
The weather criteria for fire weather watches and red flag warnings vary with each Weather Service office’s warning area based on the local vegetation type, topography, and distance from major water sources. They usually include the daily vegetation moisture content calculations, expected afternoon high temperature, afternoon minimum relative humidity and daytime wind speed.
An enhanced version of the warning, called extreme red flag warning, may be issued. This means that conditions for fire growth and behavior are extremely dangerous due to a combination of strong winds, very low humidity, long duration, and very dry fuels.
FLOOD WARNING
Begins: 6:32 PM Sun, Sep 7, 2025
Expires: 10:00 PM Sun, Sep 7, 2025
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...A portion of southeast South Carolina, including the following county, Charleston. * WHEN...Until 1000 PM EDT. * IMPACTS...Numerous roads remain closed due to flooding. Expect many areas of slow moving or standing water. It will take several hours for all the water from these storms to work through local drainage systems in urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 625 PM EDT, emergency management officials continued to report road closures across much of the Downtown Charleston area from earlier flooding rains. Drainage of flood waters will become increasingly hampered as high tide approaches in the Charleston Harbor, which will occur shortly after 830 PM. Tide levels are expected to peak in the 7.0 to 7.2 ft mean lower low water range which, in itself, would typically produce salt water flooding in parts of Downtown Charleston. The combination of ongoing fresh water flooding and increasing saltwater flooding will likely produce additional road closures and other impacts across the Downtown area. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Downtown Charleston, Marion Square, Medical University Of South Carolina, Columbus Street Terminal and The Citadel. - This includes I-26 near mile marker 221.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY
Begins: 7:00 PM Sun, Sep 7, 2025
Expires: 10:00 PM Sun, Sep 7, 2025
* WHAT...Up to one half foot of inundation above ground level expected along shorelines and tidal waterways (7.0 to 7.2 feet Mean Lower Low Water at Charleston). * WHERE...Coastal Colleton and Charleston Counties. * WHEN...Until 10 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS...This could result in some roads becoming impassable. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tide will occur around 8:30 PM today at Charleston. Saltwater inundation will be possible 1 to 2 hours before and after high tide.
What is the difference between a weather warning, watch and advisory?
The National Weather Service issues alerts in different categories to indicate the severity of storms and if the public should take immediate action to prevent the loss of life or property or be aware of the potential of the same.
Weather Warning
A weather warning is issued when severe weather conditions are occuring or imminent and there is danger to life and/or property. The warning will include what action should be taken including evacuation or shelter in place and should be heeded immediately. Warnings are usually issued for a small, specific area and for a definite period of time.
Weather Watch
A weather watch is an alert issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather. A weather watch means that severe weather is possible in the area, so it is important to stay tuned to the latest forecasts and be prepared for potential storms.
The purpose of a weather watch is to provide advance warning to people in the affected area so that they can take necessary precautions. It is important to remember that a weather watch does not mean that severe weather will definitely occur, but simply that there is a higher chance of it happening.
If you live in an area where severe weather is common, it may be wise to have a plan in place for what you will do if a storm hits. Make sure you have plenty of food and water stored, as well as flashlights, batteries, and other supplies. You may also want to consider evacuating if necessary.
Weather Advisory
An advisory means the conditions are likely to occur. These are typically used for less severe weather events like frost or winds but can be used for other types of severe weather.
What is a Red Flag Warning?
A red flag warning is issued by the National Weather Service to inform the public, firefighters, and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fires and any fire which does start could spread rapidly. These are often issued after drought conditions, when humidity is very low and especially when there are high or erratic winds. The possibility of lightning is also a determining factor. Fire fighting agencies often will increase their staffing and equipment resources due to the forecast risk. For the public, a Red Flag Warning often means high fire danger leading to restrictions or bans on outdoor burning including burn piles, burn barrels and campfires. Use of anything which may produce sparks, including outdoor lawn equipment, chainsaws and welding, may be restricted or prohibited.
The weather criteria for fire weather watches and red flag warnings vary with each Weather Service office’s warning area based on the local vegetation type, topography, and distance from major water sources. They usually include the daily vegetation moisture content calculations, expected afternoon high temperature, afternoon minimum relative humidity and daytime wind speed.
An enhanced version of the warning, called extreme red flag warning, may be issued. This means that conditions for fire growth and behavior are extremely dangerous due to a combination of strong winds, very low humidity, long duration, and very dry fuels.