Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Greer, SC

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515 FXUS62 KGSP 050620 AFDGSP Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 220 AM EDT Sun May 5 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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A general summertime pattern sets up today through Wednesday, keeping scattered thunderstorm chances around each afternoon. A strong cold front will approach out of the west on Thursday before tracking across the western Carolinas on Friday, leading to better coverage of thunderstorms towards the end of the workweek. Highs will remain above normal through the workweek but will climb well above normal Tuesday through Thursday.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TODAY/...
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As of 215 am EDT Sunday: Numerous-to-widespread showers continue across the eastern half of the CWA early this morning in conjunction with a passing upper shortwave, which is now located over the western half of the CWA. Still expect coverage to gradually diminish and move east through the overnight as the shortwave exits the area. Precipitable water values remain very high within deep moisture plume, so locally heavy rainfall remains possible despite weak instability. However, the potential for excessive rainfall is quite low. Min temps will be around 10 degrees above normal. At least patchy morning fog will likely be an issue, at least for locations that have received appreciable rainfall this evening. Scattered convection, numerous across the mountains, will return this afternoon as instability redevelops. An isolated severe storm will be possible as mid level dry air returns and DCAPE values increase with heating. The mid level dry air will decrease PW values limiting the flood threat. That said, isolated heavy rainfall will be possible. Highs should end up a few degrees above normal.
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&& .SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 145 PM EDT Saturday: Short term period will be generally dominated by building mid-level ridge, but with a shortwave embedded in the pattern lifting up from the MS Valley and traversing the area through the period. Meanwhile a strong system will be gearing up over the northern Rockies and push off into the northern Plains to impact us into the extended. We`ll see a warming trend Monday into Tuesday afternoon as the ridge builds aloft and surface high off the New England coast slides south toward Bermuda, with moist southerly flow rounding the base into the Southeast. A summerlike pattern will set up as moisture and instability increase Monday, but very little deep-layer shear to work with. Categorical pops pretty much area- wide but highest in the mountains. Shortwave pushes east on Tuesday and ridging builds in with stronger SW flow aloft. NAM is a little faster with bringing some deep-layer shear in ahead of the next system. Pops are a little lower on Wednesday as moisture is not quite so widespread, but with warmer temperatures (mid 80s in the Piedmont as opposed to lower 80s on Tuesday) instability is a little higher as well, 1500-2000 J/kg so could be looking at isolated strong to potentially severe with some wet microburst potential. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 215 PM EDT Saturday: Active period for the extended as the upper system moving across the northern plains drags a front through the country Wednesday into Thursday. Should see continued low-level WAA Wednesday with temperatures across the Piedmont climbing again into the upper 80s, even flirting with 90 in the Charlotte Metro area. Best pops will be in the mountains closer to the deep-layer shear and moisture, but cannot rule out isolated activity elsewhere. With the increased heating and better upper dynamics approaching the area, SBCAPEs will climb again from Tuesday, now reaching 2000-2500 J/kg with over 30kt of deep-layer shear across the area, so where we can get a storm going certainly can`t rule out isolated severe activity with a very summer-like microburst feel, though there will at least be movement in the storms so expect some organization. Things get a little more interesting Thursday as the cold front will begin to push into the area. Although the front will be stretched out somewhat rather than just blasting through, strong DPVA combined with the upper jet provide plenty of synoptic lift. It`s a little far out for details but at least the GFS is trying to show a decent 850mb jet as well midday Thursday. Timing of the instability surge and juxtaposition with strongest deep-layer shear might be critical, but somewhere in our forecast area we are currently progged to have 2000-2500 J/kg lined up with >50kt deep layer shear, which is impressive. Forecast trends will need to be monitored. SPC`s Day 6 outlook is vague on the area but mentions the possibility of needing to introduce an one or more 15% areas for Thursday when guidance comes into better agreement. Upper shortwave actually begins to approach later on Friday so pops remain in the forecast until then. However, depending on the actual timing of the front itself, cannot rule out an insitu increase in instability right along the front where there would be a local enhancement in deep layer shear, but uncertainty is quite high on when the front would push through. Pops remain high as in line with the blends but timing will likely change in subsequent forecasts. && .AVIATION /07Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
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At KCLT and elsewhere: Showers remain widespread across much of the NC foothills and Piedmont (i.e., near KHKY and KCLT) early this morning, but will continue to slowly push east through the morning. Occasional periods of brief heavy rain will be possible at the above sites, and can`t completely rule out a rumble of thunder. Otherwise, low cigs will fill in across the Terminal Forecast Area through daybreak, with cigs in the 002-005 range expected at all sites. Visby of 2-4SM is expected in SHRA or BR at all sites as well. Visby of 1SM...possibly even less is expected at KAND and KGMU, where mid-level drying is expected atop very moist lower levels. Can`t rule out visby <2SM at other sites, but confidence is low. Otherwise, cigs are expected to begin improving late in the morning, with VFR conditions expected at all sites during the afternoon. While widespread SHRA are expected to move east of the area during the morning, scattered convection is expected to develop across the mountains during early/mid afternoon and move E/SE. Prob30s for afternoon/early evening TSRA are warranted at all sites. Outlook: Enhanced moisture will combine with a weak/stalled front through the middle of next week, resulting in a period of active/mainly diurnal convective weather each day. There will also be the potential for restrictions associated with widespread fog and/or low clouds each morning.
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&& .GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. NC...None. SC...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...AR NEAR TERM...JDL/MPR/RWH SHORT TERM...TDP LONG TERM...TDP AVIATION...JDL