Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC

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920 FXUS62 KCAE 230547 AFDCAE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 147 AM EDT Mon Sep 23 2024 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure building over the SE US will keep warm conditions over the Southeast into the first half of the work week. Multiple shortwaves crossing the region will bring chances for precipitation through much of the week. Confidence is low in the forecast beyond midweek as uncertainty remains high with the evolution of an upper trough moving toward the region and the potential for tropical development in the Gulf. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 7 AM THIS MORNING/... Key Message(s): - Increasing clouds overnight and above normal temperatures A couple showers which developed late this afternoon into this evening continue across the southern Midlands and CSRA and will gradually dissipate over the next couple of hours. Overnight cloud cover will slowly increase especially across the northern Midlands and Pee Dee however expect the remainder of the overnight to be rain free. Lows tonight will remain on the milder side with most locations in the upper 60s to around 70. && .SHORT TERM /7 AM THIS MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... Key Message(s): - Upper ridge continues to bring above average temps. - Afternoon and evening precipitation is possible each day, mainly across the northern CWA Monday and western half Tuesday. Upper ridging is expected to be over the area as surface high pressure is filtered into the region from the Northeast to start the short term period. Meanwhile, an upper trough is forecast to continue developing over the Upper Midwest. All of these features slide eastward over the short term period. The ridge axis will continue across the region Monday, but begin to shift off the coast by Tuesday. Multiple shortwaves are forecast to ride around the periphery of the ridge as it passes overhead, bringing chances for precipitation to the northern half of the forecast area each afternoon and evening. Also, the upper trough is anticipated to dig southward and assist in developing a surface frontal boundary, resulting in southwest flow locally by Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night. The southwest flow will likely lead to increased moisture to the region ahead of the frontal boundary, bringing slightly higher chances for precipitation on Tuesday. Due to the ridging, temperatures are expected to remain on the warm side, with highs in the mid 80s north to lower 90s south each day. Overnight lows remain above normal with lows near/around 70 degrees. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Key Message(s): - Chances for precipitation increase in the long term despite forecast uncertainty regarding tropical development and eventual track. The uncertainty has decreased slightly regarding the increasing chances for precipition across the Southeast this upcoming week. However, the uncertainty remains pretty high regarding the development, strength and track of the potential tropical system. The NHC has increased the chance of development to 80 percent between days 3 and 7. The two main features causing uncertainty are the development and depth of the upper trough across the Central Plains/Mid MS River Valley Region during the early/mid week. The ECMWF/GFS/CMC indicate the trough over the Plains will cutoff, but depth and placement will make for an interesting interaction with the tropical system. So, confidence is increasing the some tropical system will develop in the Western Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, but where it goes and how strong it gets is where the uncertainty comes in. The model ensembles continue to have a hard time placing a system that has yet to form. Regardless of what happens, daily chances for precipitation continue through the forecast period. && .AVIATION /06Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
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Generally VFR conditions expected through the forecast period except at KAGS which may see usual mvfr/ifr visibilities overnight near the river. Lingering late evening showers are diminishing and have shifted south of the terminals, with mostly clear skies at the terminals expected through the remainder of the night. Near calm to light and variable winds expected through sunrise and will support the potential for a little ground fog at the normally susceptible AGS TAF site, but no restrictions expected elsewhere. Winds pick up from the south today around 5 to 7 knots after 15z with afternoon VFR cigs as cumulus clouds develop with strong surface heating. Cannot rule out isolated convection once again this afternoon at the terminals but confidence in impacts and timing not high enough to warrant including more than VCSH at this time. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...There are no significant concerns for restrictions at this time.
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&& .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && $$ d