Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC

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095 FXUS62 KCAE 251703 AFDCAE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 103 PM EDT Tue Jun 25 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Hot temperatures are expected to continue through the period. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms should occur each afternoon and evening, with better coverage likely Thursday as a weak front sets up near the area. Increasing heat impacts Friday through the weekend. Another weak front will move into near the area Monday with possible better convective coverage. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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KEY MESSAGES: -Heat continues to hold on over the area with max heat indices over 100. A Heat Advisory is in effect for Orangeburg and Bamberg counties for heat indices near 110 this afternoon. A moisture boundary remains draped across the area with a steep dew point gradient of 5-10 degrees from Columbia to Orangeburg. A scattered cu field is seen on the dry side of the moisture gradient, but some more widespread cu is beginning to develop across the I-95 corridor. Dew point depressions and mid-level dry air will prevent any shower-storm activity this afternoon across much of the Midlands, but in the deeper moisture in the extreme eastern Midlands and coastal plain, a few pop up showers and storms are likely. High temps should top our around 100 again with heat indices pushing 110 in the areas on the moist side of the boundary.
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&& .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... KEY MESSAGES: -Hot conditions to continue with max heat indices of 100-105. -Widely scattered to scattered afternoon/early evening thunderstorms, greatest coverage in the southeast Midlands Wednesday. -Highest chances of showers and thunderstorms Thursday, some possibly severe. Wind damage is the main threat. Wednesday and Wednesday night...The frontal boundary appears to lift to the north and will probably become stationary near the central or northern Midlands. There will be drier air in the west with the GFS and ECMWF showing lower precipitable water from north GA into western SC. Moisture maximized in the coastal Plain and southeast Midlands. Expect 1.5 inches to 1.7 inches near and southeast of the frontal boundary. Upper heights remain elevated but the ridge center shifts west as an upper trough moves east of the Mississippi River. Main short wave trough appears to be well west of the region, across the Tennessee Valley into the Gulf coast, so trigger lacking other than the weak convergence near the front and sea breeze. Moderate instability possible although some mid level capping in the west and limited moisture especially above 3km. Low to mid level lapse rates are quite steep with temperatures rising to near 100 degrees. Temperatures guidance is quite consistent with continued heat wave despite approaching upper trough. Soundings suggest strong inverted V especially to the west near the drier air. Overall shear remains relative weak. Convective coverage expected to be widely scattered to scattered mainly focused near the sea breeze front and higher theta-e air across the east. Thursday and Thursday night...Positively tilted upper trough moving into the region Thursday with increasing moisture. Deeper shear remains to the north across the Mid Atlantic. But short wave triggers expected in the afternoon. Another surface boundary will move into the area to provide convergence. Instability appears weak to moderate but somewhat uncertain. Capping should be weaker. Steep low to mid level lapse rates and inverted V sounding, possible stronger lift support higher threat for pulse severe storms. Temperatures might be slightly cooler but still hot. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... KEY MESSAGES: -Increasing heat impacts expected Friday through the weekend with heat index values 105 to 110. -Scattered afternoon thunderstorms each day. Ensembles are in good agreement showing a strengthening upper ridge aloft Friday through the weekend. Diurnally driven scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible each day. With subsidence through Saturday, continued to go below the NBM pops. Temperatures will rise through the weekend beneath the building ridge, and confidence high for significant heat impacts. Another front will move into the area by late in the weekend/early next week and perhaps higher chance of showers. && .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
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VFR conditions expected through the TAF period. Dry air continues to keep only a thin scattered cu field for AGS, DNL, CUB, and CAE. Deeper moisture at OGB is yielding some widespread cu this afternoon. Winds will remain out of the east through the afternoon and overnight, with some gusts to around 10-12 mph. An isolated shower-storm is possible near OGB later this evening but confidence is too low for a TAF mention. Some fog-stratus is possible at OGB Wednesday morning, but again too low confidence for TAF mention yet. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Chances start to increase for precip and restrictions on Thursday and Friday.
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&& .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
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SC...Heat Advisory until 6 PM EDT this evening for SCZ041-135>137. GA...None.
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&& $$ SYNOPSIS... NEAR TERM... SHORT TERM... LONG TERM... AVIATION...