Here at NWS Charleston, weather history comes alive. This office is the primary source of weather data. It provides forecasts and warnings for over 1.5 million people. These people live in southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia.
The National Weather Service Charleston Forecast Office has a rich history. The World Meteorological Organization recognized the Downtown Charleston climate site. It was named a Centennial Observing Station in September 2020. Only eight stations in the country received this designation. There are 234 in the world.
Downtown Charleston boasts the second-longest station record worldwide. The first informal observations were taken in 1738 by Dr. John Lining. Beijing, China, holds the longest station record. Theirs began in 1724.
Centennial Observing Stations provide vital meteorological observations. These are important for weather forecasting. They also help us understand Earth’s climate variability and change. The records offer a unique perspective. They show the evolution of instrumentation and weather observing methods.
Louis W. Uccellini, Ph.D., once highlighted Charleston’s significance. He was the Director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. He noted the site’s observations of significant events. These events include the winter storm of February 1899. Others are Hurricane Hugo in September 1989. And the October 2015 floods.
Continuous observation records began in the mid to late 1800s. Automated observations continue at the Charleston site today. It is located on the dock of the Charleston Branch Pilots’ Association. This is on the south side of Waterfront Park.
Michael Emlaw, Meteorologist-in-Charge, expressed his excitement. He recognized Charleston for its longevity of weather observations. He said it adds to the city’s rich history.
The National Weather Service in Charleston is located at 5777 South Aviation Avenue. That is in North Charleston, SC 29406-6162. You can contact them at (843) 747-5860.
The history of weather observations in Charleston is documented. Stephen R. Doty prepared “The History of Weather Observations Charleston, SC 1738-2005”. This study documents the primary weather observational path at Charleston. It helps future studies evaluate data validity. It judges the trustworthiness of observers. It also determines the climatological significance of variability.
Explore Charleston’s historical weather patterns. Discover how the climate has evolved over time. The NWS Charleston provides a unique window into the meteorological history of the area.