Beaufort, SC: A stretch of unusually warm and muggy weather settled over the South Carolina coast overnight into Tuesday morning, pushing several locations to record or near-record warm low temperatures, according to data released by the National Weather Service in Charleston.
Downtown Charleston Breaks Record
The most notable reading came from Downtown Charleston, where the overnight low only dropped to 84 degrees.
That broke the previous record for warmest low temperature at that location, which had stood at 83 degrees. Meanwhile, Charleston International Airport recorded a low of 80 degrees, tying its own existing record for the date.
These kinds of records are becoming more common along the coast, where overnight humidity and warm ocean air can prevent temperatures from cooling down the way they typically would inland. When lows stay this high, it means residents get little relief from the heat even after the sun goes down.
Coastal Stations Report Widespread Warmth
Charleston was not alone in seeing exceptionally warm conditions. Numerous reporting stations across the Lowcountry recorded lows in the low to mid 80s.
Beaufort MCAS reported an overnight low of 83 degrees, while Beaufort WxFlow measured 84 degrees. Hilton Head Island saw similarly high readings across multiple monitoring sites, including Hilton Head Airport, Leg O Mutton, Palmetto Hall, Sea Pines, and Wexford, all of which recorded lows of 84 degrees.
Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park also logged an overnight low of 84 degrees, and Sullivans Island came in at 81 degrees. Further south, Edisto Beach reported the warmest overnight low in the entire dataset at 85 degrees, edging out every other station in South Carolina.
Georgia Coast Also Feels the Heat
The warmth was not limited to South Carolina. Coastal Georgia experienced similarly elevated overnight lows. Tybee North WxFlow matched Edisto Beach with a reading of 85 degrees, making it the warmest station in the entire two-state region. Savannah USGS reported a low of 84 degrees, and Jekyll Island WxFlow came in at 82 degrees. Meanwhile, Savannah NWR RAWS and Brunswick Airport both recorded lows of 80 degrees.
Forecasters note that this kind of widespread warmth, especially overnight, often reflects a combination of high humidity, cloud cover, and warm coastal waters working together to trap heat near the surface. With little cooling overnight, daytime temperatures can climb even further, extending the discomfort into the afternoon hours.
Residents along the coast are encouraged to stay hydrated, limit prolonged outdoor activity during peak afternoon heat, and check on neighbors or family members who may be more vulnerable to high temperatures, particularly the elderly and those without reliable air conditioning.
The National Weather Service in Charleston is expected to continue monitoring conditions as the pattern holds through the week.