Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC

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613 FXUS62 KCAE 161042 AFDCAE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 642 AM EDT Sun Jun 16 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A weak front moving through the area stalls to the south of the forecast area today. Thus, expect isolated to scattered thunderstorms to develop this afternoon and evening. High pressure, drier conditions, and slightly above normal temperatures are then expected through much of the upcoming week. Unsettled conditions are possible by late in the week into next weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... An upper ridge continues to build over the Southeast today and tonight, allowing for continued warmth across the forecast area. At the surface, a weak cold front is expected to meander through the forecast area, which should keep highs a few degrees cooler than Saturday. A surface high of the Mid-Atlantic coast will allow for onshore flow over our neck of the woods, bringing more moisture into the area. As a result, expect isolated to scattered showers and storms to develop and spread westward through the day. Unlike yesterday, the chances for precipitation cover the entire forecast area. With the ridge settling in overhead, temperatures aloft are expected to be warmer than yesterday. Model soundings also hint at a capping inversion, which will likely limit the severe threat. However, inverted V soundings suggest some gusty winds could accompany any thunderstorms today. Despite the cold front moving through today, temperatures are expected to climb to the lower to mid 90s. Did go with a forecast high on the higher end of the model solution spectrum because of the ridge building overhead and guidance was a few degrees too cool for many locations yesterday. If clouds are more widespread earlier than anticipated, highs today could be a bit cooler than forecast. Overnight lows remain near 70. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... Monday and Monday night: The center of the strong upper level ridge will shift just slightly northward, with surface high pressure centered well off the New England coast supporting an onshore low level flow across the area. The deepest moisture appears to shift west of the area, and the combination of lowering precipitable water values and strong subsidence from the upper ridge should preclude the development of any convection across the area. Temperatures will remain a few degrees above normal for highs, generally around 90 or in the lower 90s. Tuesday and Tuesday night: The upper level ridge will become centered over the northern Mid Atlantic region, but the low level onshore flow will persist. Overall, very little change in expected conditions from Monday, with enough subsidence and dry air in place to keep conditions rain-free. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Ensembles show a very strong upper level ridge over much of New England and the Mid Atlantic during the mid to late week period, with an inverted upper trough retrograding toward the southeast US coast beneath the ridge late in the week. The latest Tropical Weather Outlook and long range ensembles suggest this is an area to continue to monitor for possible tropical development. Overall, onshore flow/increasing moisture could lead to increasingly unsettled conditions across the area with rain chances ramping up Friday into next weekend. Temperatures will be near normal at the start of the long term period, then rise well above normal by the weekend as strong ridging builds back southward across the Carolinas. && .AVIATION /12Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
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Generally VFR conditions anticipated through the TAF period. A brief period of restrictions may occur at AGS at the beginning of the TAF period, but that is unlikely. Otherwise, mainly clear skies to start the forecast period with some scattered cumulus developing around midday. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and evening, but confidence is too low that these occur over any terminals. So, have kept it out of the TAF for now. Winds increase to 5-10 kts out of the southeast beginning around 17z, then diminish to light and variable after 00z. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Low probability of significant restrictions.
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&& .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && $$