Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC
261 FXUS62 KCAE 020156 AFDCAE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 856 PM EST Mon Dec 1 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Rainfall chances quickly increasing this evening ahead of an area of low pressure. A period of moderate to heavy rainfall is expected as this storm moves through tonight into Tuesday morning. High pressure then builds back in for Wednesday and Thursday before another system takes aim at the region to end the week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Key message(s): - Widespread moderate to heavy rainfall possible tonight. A rather rapid increase in rainfall potential will occur by midnight as an area of low pressure in the Gulf begins to strengthen and rapidly move northeast into the area, ending up near or off the South Carolina coast overnight. Good synoptic-scale forcing is forecast to begin overspreading the area this evening, with a strong 850 jet forecast to develop to our southwest. Moisture transport is expected to increase quickly, with PWATS forecast to rise into the 1.25"-1.5" range. Strong warm advection should help force widespread rain across the area, with rainfall likely becoming moderate to briefly heavy at times. The heaviest rain should begin at or around 2 am, with the potential for a corridor, generally along I-20ish, where some heavier rainfall may setup tonight and into tomorrow. This is where the wedge boundary likely will be through the event, and is near or just south of where the surface low is forecast to track. Rainfall totals of 0.75"-1.5" are expected to be common, with 1.5"-2" of rainfall possible along an axis stretching from Augusta to Sumter. Lows tonight are forecast to be in the 40s across the area. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... Key message(s): - Widespread rainfall is expected during the morning hours. The rain may be heavy at times. - The rain tapers off during the late morning and early afternoon hours, ending from west to east in the afternoon. Widespread rainfall will be ongoing at daybreak as low pressure passes along the South Carolina coast. The rain may be heavy at times during the morning hours. Despite the moderate to heavy rainfall, the overall flash flood threat is low though some minor or nuisance flooding cannot be ruled out. Expect precipitation to taper off during the late morning and early afternoon hours, ending from west to east in the afternoon. Skies should clear out towards evening, though some of the hi- res guidance suggests that low clouds may linger in spots before a cool, dry air mass filters into the FA. Temperatures should be slightly warmer than today with forecast highs in the lower to mid 50s. Temperatures should fall quickly at night, especially in locations that fully clear out. Forecast lows range from the mid-20s to the mid-30s. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Key message(s): - Cool and dry Wednesday and Thursday with high pressure in control of the weather. - The next storm system impacts the region Friday and Saturday, bringing another round of rainfall. Cool and dry conditions are expected Wednesday and Thursday as high pressure passes to the north. Moisture and warm air advection will increase on Thursday as the anticyclone shifts offshore but much of the FA should remain dry until the next storm system approaches Thursday night. There remains a high amount of uncertainty regarding the large scale evolution of the next storm system but confidence is increasing in a period of rain Friday and/or Saturday. There may be some improvement in the weather to close out the weekend but this will depend on how quickly this storm system can clear the region. Temperatures are expected to remain below normal through the extended. && .AVIATION /02Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Deteriorating conditions tonight as widespread rainfall moves into the region. MVFR CIGS currently prevail across the region ahead of an area of low pressure that will bring moderate to heavy rain overnight. Deteriorating conditions should occur rapidly after -RA begins at each terminal, generally between 3z-5z, with further decreases in CIGS/VSBYS to IFR and LIFR categories. Heavier RA at times may result in VSBYS less than 2 SM. These conditions will then persist through much of Tuesday morning. Clearing is expected from west to east at or around 18z Tuesday afternoon, with gradual increases in CIGS and restrictions easing back to VFR by 00z. Winds should generally remain NLY/NELY through Tuesday morning, then becoming WLY as the system exits the region. Speeds should remain less than 10 kts. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...The next weather system will keep the potential for restrictions in rain into Tuesday morning. Additional restrictions possible late in the week. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && $$