Summer’s last hurrah: Five things you need to know about Labor Day weekend

L abor Day Weekend means goodbye to summer. The crowds will thin and the sun will set earlier. But there’s still fun to be had. Here are five beach things to know for the next three days:

1. Weather
“Pretty nice,” said Julie Packett, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

It will be mostly dry across the region. Chance of pop-up rains Sunday and Monday (30 percent). Temperatures in the low 90s.

2. Traffic
Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island aren’t expecting any major hiccups since visitation is way down. Warning: Don’t park illegally and face getting an expensive ticket. Also, the “no-idling” rule is still in effect for Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island.

3. No beach booze
Folly Beach went dry after a July 4 beer party drew thousands, then got out of hand. A temporary City Council moratorium is in place and is in the process of becoming permanent, ending Folly’s standing as the region’s last alcohol-friendly beach.

4. Boating
Marine resource officers and other agencies will be on the water enforcing zero tolerance for boating under the influence. Courtesy boat inspections are planned at landings in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties.

5. Critters (land, sea and air)
Last week’s heavy rain left lots of standing water behind, giving mosquitoes more room to spread. Varmints also might be on the move, forced out of their regular haunts by flooding. Usual assortment of jellyfish and stingrays might be swimming with you.

Schuyler Kropf