Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC
544 FXUS62 KCAE 181719 AFDCAE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 1219 PM EST Tue Nov 18 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Gradual warming trend continues this week with temperatures approaching near record highs by Friday before a cooler conditions return for the weekend. The next chance for rain holds off until late Friday or Saturday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Key message(s): - Warmer temps this afternoon and tonight. High pressure continues to push offshore this afternoon. Meanwhile, an upper shortwave over the Upper Midwest is forecast to move eastward, passing to our north overnight. A weak frontal boundary associated with this shortwave is expected to move along with it. As such, an increase in moisture is forecast tonight, allowing dew points to rise into the mid 40s to around 50. However, an rain associated with this front this far south is expected to be squeezed out as it reaches the mountains. So, expect a dry night with some cloud cover and much warmer than the past couple of nights. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... Key message(s): - Well above normal temperatures each day but with dry conditions. Strong upper riding moves overhead through the short term period, bringing continued dry weather and temperatures that are well above average, in the upper 70s and even toward the low 80s on Thursday. At the surface, an area of high pressure will be departing off the coast of the Carolina`s early Wednesday but another surface high should replace it as it slides into the upper East Coast, ridging down into the FA. A weak frontal boundary also should be draped north of the area Wednesday before slowly sagging into the CWA Thursday, likely stalling in the area. Though dry conditions are expected to continue Wednesday and Thursday, moisture will be increasing (PWAT`s around 1-1.15") in response to a deep trough digging into the Desert Southwest, pulling Gulf moisture well inland. With moisture increasing especially later Thursday, increased cloud cover is expected which should keep overnight lows mild, in the 50s each night. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Key message(s): - Above normal temperatures into the start of the weekend before slight cooling into early next week. - Rain chances enter late Friday night, continuing through Saturday. Decent consensus is seen across deterministic models in terms of the evolution of a shortwave trough moving into the area to end the week, though slight differences in timing and intensity still exist. The 12z GFS is a bit earlier in timing and depicts a stronger shortwave while the ECMWF is slower and weaker with its progression. The Canadian is the in between solution, showing similar intensity of the shortwave as the GFS but timing is closer to that of the ECMWF. With PWAT`s nearing the NAFES 90th percentile and at minimum, weak forcing from the shortwave, PoP`s increasing starting late Friday night, becoming more scattered during the day Saturday morning and afternoon before waning overnight seems reasonable. After this, strong agreement in a quick hit of surface high pressure is seen Sunday and Monday before a sharp shortwave may near the region Tuesday, though significant timing differences exist in its progression at this time. For temperatures, highs around 10-15F above average are expected Friday and Saturday where near record highs in low 80s will be possible Friday. A slight cool down, is then expected into the early week, though temperatures should still be slightly above average. && .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... VFR expected through the period. High pressure sliding offshore is producing mainly clear skies and southerly winds, between 5 and 10 kts this afternoon. A system approaching keeps winds elevated some overnight, generally out of the southwest. Winds shift more west- southwesterly after about 14-15z, increasing again. Some gusts around 15 kts are also possible. Some scattered clouds around the 5kft are also likely tonight into tomorrow. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...VFR conditions likely continue through most of the week with dry air in place. Increasing moisture Friday night will lead to chances for rain and possible restrictions. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && $$