Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC

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877 FXUS62 KCAE 061449 AFDCAE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 1049 AM EDT Thu Jun 6 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will move across the Southeast from late tonight to early Friday leading to showers and thunderstorms. Drier air follows the front late this week into the weekend. Another cold front possible early next week, with rain potential increasing ahead of it late in the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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10:45 AM Update: Satellite imagery is showing some scattered cumuli beginning to develop. These clouds are not looking too agitated for the time being. Temperatures have climbed into the lower to mid 80s as of 10 am across the forecast area. As daytime heating continues, expected these to become more agitated in increase in coverage. Forecast remains generally the same for scattered showers and storms to develop this afternoon and evening. A few of which could be strong to severe, with damaging winds being the primary threat. As such, the SPC did expand the Marginal Risk (1/5) to include the northern half of our forecast area. The main timing for thunderstorms looks to be from 2 pm through 10 pm. Early-morning discussion: A cold front will approach the region today with warm, moist advection over the forecast area prior to it crossing the forecast area tonight. GOES16 derived PWAT values show 1.75 to 1.9 inches over the Deep South. A pre- frontal trough will provide convergence for convection to develop this afternoon in the conditionally unstable airmass. A shortwave will also move over the area this afternoon, supporting convective development. Mixed layer CAPE values are likely to be between 1000 to 2000 J/kg based on SPC SREF probabilities. With moderate instability, above normal atmospheric moisture and upper support from a shortwave trough we would expect scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop in the afternoon. An inverted V sounding also indicates some potential for damaging downburst winds with DCAPE values around 750 J/kg. With very weak deep layer shear the biggest concern is isolated downburst winds from pulse type storms and potentially localized flash flooding. Convection should linger overnight as the front works its way through the region. Highs today will be in the upper 80s to mid 90s with lows tonight around 70 degrees.
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&& .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... Friday will see the cold front moving east of the cwa, allowing drier air to move back into the region. After the past few days of rainfall, a return to drier weather will occur through this period of the forecast as high pressure settles into the area. With the expected sunshine, highs during the afternoon are still expected to reach the upper 80s to the lower 90s both days. Overnight lows in the low to mid 60s. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Sunday a cold front will begin moving towards the region from the north. Although the day will start off dry, increasing moisture may allow at least some isolated showers and thunderstorms to develop during the afternoon hours. Temperatures become a little bit warmer ahead of the front, with highs in lower to mid 90s. The front may end up stalling somewhere across the area early next week. This will end up keeping at least some scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms through the middle of the week. There is some uncertainty with afternoon temperatures too, due to the potential mixture of clouds and sun, rainfall, and eventual position of the front. For now most guidance keeps readings close to or just above normal early next week. && .AVIATION /12Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Ceiling restrictions at all TAF sites this morning with ample low-level moisture in place. This will continue over the next few hours until 15 or 16Z. KCAE VAD wind profile shows a 25 kt LLJ in place this morning that will help to return conditions back to VFR by mid- morning. A cold front will approach the region today. Expect scattered convection ahead of the front, beginning in the afternoon. It will also be gusty at times with winds gusting to 20 to 25 kts out of the SW. Convection will likely continue into the evening as the front works its way through the region early Friday morning. There may be another period of ceiling restrictions tonight before the front moves east of the area but confidence is low. Near the end of the 24 hour TAF period we will see a wind shift behind the front with winds becoming W then NW. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Drier weather Friday through the weekend. Moisture increases early next week which may lead to early morning fog or stratus. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && $$