Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC

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122 FXUS62 KCAE 211026 AFDCAE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 626 AM EDT Fri Jun 21 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Moisture will increase across the area over the weekend as low pressure approaches from offshore. This will lead to mainly scattered diurnally driven showers and thunderstorms focused in the southeast Midlands and CSRA through Sunday. A weak cold front will move into the area late Monday and possibly enhance diurnally driven showers and thunderstorms through midweek. Well above normal temperatures are expected by Sunday into early next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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Skies are clear across the forecast area at daybreak. However, scattered clouds are expected to move in from the east today as an area of low pressure, Invest 92L, approaches the Georgia and Florida coasts. The biggest impact of this system in our forecast area will be a notable increase in moisture through the day with a chance for showers and perhaps a thunderstorm or two during the afternoon and evening hours, mainly south and east of I-20. Our northern and western counties should see continued warm and dry conditions today with scattered cumulus, a scenario suggested by modeled soundings at KCLT. Temperatures will be coolest today closer to the coast where the most robust cloud cover will be. Highs across the region should end up in the mid-80s to lower 90s. Skies should clear out after sunset with any rain chances quickly diminishing. Low temperatures tonight will be around 70 degrees.
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&& .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... KEY MESSAGES: - Tropical wave/low pressure moving inland south of the area. - Increasing chance for afternoon and evening thunderstorms. - Above normal temperatures expected. Saturday and Saturday night...Upper level ridging, centered to the west of the area extends into the area. The westward moving tropical wave/area of low pressure should be moving inland mainly south of the area across coastal GA into Florida Saturday. Precipitable water increases to 1.80 to near 2.00 inches (around 120 percent of normal) in the lower Savannah river area and southeast Midlands Saturday afternoon. The air mass is a little drier in the north Midlands and SC Piedmont. Warm advection and moisture flux focused in the southeast Midlands. Instability overall appears limited. Showers and thunderstorms possibly enhanced along a sea breeze front, so have chance pops in the southeast Midlands. Lower chance of showers and thunderstorms to the northwest as mid level capping should be stronger/moisture possibly more limited. Temperatures slightly above normal in the low to mid 90s for high temps. Sunday and Sunday night...Moisture appears to increase across the area and the upper ridge retrogrades a bit to the west. Perhaps some weak short wave troughs will rotate around ridge to provide lift. Still think higher chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms remains across the CSRA and southeast Midlands enhanced by sea breeze with capping stronger to the northwest. Instability remains weak but stronger near the coast. 850mb temps warm a degree or two so temps should be a little warmer with most areas rising into the mid 90s. Heat index values in the 100-105 degree range. Muggy overnight temps in the low to mid 70s. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... KEY MESSAGES: - Heat builds into next week with heat indices remaining 100. Warmest day appears to be Wednesday with heat index values near 105 or a little higher. - Typical scattered afternoon/evening thunderstorms are expected. The NAEFS and ECMWF EFI point to temperatures above normal, but not significantly, with the warmest day Wednesday. Early in the week, an upper trough over New England with trough axis along the coast. Area in northwest flow aloft with rather strong downslope flow Monday. Upper ridge is now centered in the southern Plains to Desert southwest. A weakening cold front will be approaching from the north late Monday then stall near the area or south of the area Tuesday. Scattered mainly diurnally driven showers and thunderstorms Monday, lower pops Tuesday as drier air moves in behind the front. Ensembles showing upper trough in the Tennessee Valley moving into the southeast late Wednesday into Thursday. This trough should drive a weak cold front toward the area. Moisture appears to increase again with ensemble precipitable water > 1.5 inches probabilities in the 80-90 percent range by Thursday. Overall instability weak to moderate mid week and deep shear should increase. Convergence along front support at least scattered showers and thunderstorms. Temps should cool a bit by Thursday. && .AVIATION /10Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
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Skies over the terminals are clear at daybreak as high pressure remains in control of our weather. An area of low pressure to our southeast will approach the Georgia and Florida coasts today, likely resulting in scattered cumulus and/or stratocumulus moving in from the east later this morning. In addition, a few showers or thunderstorms are possible by the afternoon but overall confidence is low. Have maintained VCSH at OGB which is the most likely terminal to see showers and perhaps brief restrictions. Will need to monitor trends and see if the rain chances extend further north and west to the other terminals. Any lingering showers should quickly diminish with the loss of daytime heating giving way to clear skies. Easterly winds are likely to continue through the TAF period. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Brief restrictions possible in isolated to scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms on Saturday with increasing chances Sunday through Tuesday.
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&& .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && $$