Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC

Current Version |  Previous Version |  Graphics & Text |  Print | Product List |  Glossary On
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
-- Highlight Changed Discussion --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
571 FXUS62 KCAE 121019 AFDCAE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 619 AM EDT Wed Jun 12 2024 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure continues to build over the area from the north today, allowing dry conditions to persist through Friday. Moisture will begin increasing Saturday with chances of showers and thunderstorms returning to the forecast for Sunday into next week. Hot temperatures are expected Friday and Saturday with apparent temperatures around 100. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
-- Changed Discussion --
Currently, upper air analysis indicates a trough just off the east coast with a ridge building over the central CONUS, leaving us in general northwest flow aloft. A southern stream trough embedded in the upper air pattern located over the Gulf Coast states has brought some mid to high level clouds to the area. This feature has also allowed drier air to settle into the region. Meanwhile, surface high pressure continues to settle in across the eastern seaboard. Today and Tonight: Expect the upper troughs to continue sliding eastward through the day, while the surface high pressure continues to build in from the north. The general northwest flow aloft along with the aforementioned features keep the area dry today and tonight as temperatures rise to around 90 across the area while overnight lows drop into the mid to upper 60s.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... Disorganized boundary will remain southeast of the area with a weak area of low pressure expected to migrate northeastward along the boundary. The low will move from off the GA Coast Thursday morning and be well east of the NC Outer Banks Friday afternoon. Friday afternoon another weak surface boundary will move into the area from the north becoming very weak and diffuse as it moves in. The boundary will cross the area Friday evening and offshore Friday night absorbing the weak low and accelerating it away from the region. Overall with the boundary and convection offshore the forecast area is expected to be under subsidence with model soundings continuing the show a pronounced inversion between 800 and 700 mb Thursday and Friday. Although weak easterly flow will slowly advect moisture into the area pwat values Friday afternoon will only have risen to around 1.25 inches and mid level lapse rates will be 6.0 C/Km of less each day. This combination will produce increasing coverage of diurnal cumulus however the inversion will keep vertical development limited and have lowered pops slightly each day keeping a dry forecast over the region. One area of concern to monitor will be the building of the upper level ridge over the SE US Thursday night through Friday night. This will push temperatures into the mid 90s Friday afternoon and although dewpoints will be lower than normal heat index readings will be nearing 100 degrees. This will be well short of any heat product however with the first of a couple of days of hot weather caution is urged if working outdoors and to take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Few changes made to the long term forecast with high pressure from the Great Lakes moving southeastward Saturday and dominating the eastern seaboard Sunday afternoon through Tuesday. With the upper level ridge also over the area temperatures will remain above normal however the easterly flow across the SE US and entire Gulf Coast will allow for a plume of moisture to begin moving into the region. Although the plume axis will be west of the forecast area with the increasing moisture and instability will see the return to a more summer- like pattern with chances of diurnal showers and thunderstorms Sunday through Tuesday. Concern for the long term will focus on Saturday as high temperatures will push into the upper 90s to near 100 for much of the forecast area with heat index readings pushing into the low 100s. Continue to urge caution for those outdoors to take frequent breaks and hydrate well. && .AVIATION /10Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
VFR conditions likely through the TAF period. Scattered high clouds are being noted over the area this morning. As daytime heating ensues, a cumulus field around 5 kft will likely develop during the afternoon. High clouds are then anticipated to filter in overnight, which should aid in preventing stratus and/or fog to develop. Light and variable winds become east to southeast at less than 10 kts through the daytime hours before becoming mainly light and variable tonight once again. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...No significant restrictions are currently anticipated through mid- week before shower and thunderstorm chances increase Friday and into the weekend.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && $$