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| Source: sethmhmsms.edublogs.org |
Charleston, South Carolina is affected by the maritime tropical air masses year round with continental polar air masses influencing the weather at times from the fall through the spring time. The maritime tropical air mass that influences Charleston's weather significantly is the Bermuda high.
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The cold front dipping down in the southeast is currently causing severe weather in the region. Source: www.weather.com |
Charleston experiences mid-latitude cyclones in the form of cold fronts. These cold fronts are pushed down from the north. When these fronts move in they meet the warm and humid air from the Bermuda high air mass which can cause severe thunder storms and possible tornadoes. In winter, when these two air masses meet they have a potential to create what is commonly called a nor’easter which will run up the eastern sea board. When Charleston does experience snow it is because of one of these storms.
The ITCZ does have an effect on Charleston with its passage beginning as early as mid-May and lasting as late as November. The ITCZ promotes heavier precipitation from June through August. During this time, Charleston can be susceptible to hurricanes. The most infamous being Hurricane Hugo that struck Charleston in 1989.
The Appalachian Mountains influence how certain air masses affect Charleston's climate. The Appalachian's block or diminish the continental polar air masses that come from the northwest. Precipitation is sucked out of these polar air masses while going over the Appalachian's. They need to meet up with the moist tropical air mass to give Charleston precipitation.
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