Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC

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561 FXUS62 KCAE 201907 AFDCAE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 307 PM EDT Fri Sep 20 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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High pressure building over the region will result in dry and warm conditions through Sunday. A return to more seasonable conditions is expected early to mid week along with a slight chance of showers.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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Key Message(s): - Patchy fog, locally dense at times, possible late tonight. An upper level trough axis continues to shift off the Mid- Atlantic coast, with ridging building in from the southern Plains. At the surface, high pressure continues to build southward from the Mid-Atlantic. A rather extensive cumulus field has developed across the area this afternoon. A weak short wave is expected to move across the area within the northwest flow aloft this afternoon, and could trigger a few isolated showers/thunderstorms mainly across the northern and possibly central Midlands. Temperatures are tending warmer than normal so far this afternoon, with highs expected to be in the mid to upper 80s most areas. The diurnal cumulus will quickly dissipate with the loss of daytime heating early this evening, leaving mainly clear skies through most of the overnight hours. The combination of light/calm winds, clear skies, and ample low level moisture will support the formation of low stratus and patchy fog late tonight. Many of the high resolution mesoscale models and the NBM support the greatest probabilities of low ceilings and reduced visibilities across the northern/central Midlands, but cannot rule out the possibility extending southward into parts of the CSRA. The fog could even be locally dense at at times. Low temperatures will generally be in the mid to upper 60s.
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&& .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
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Key Message(s): - High pressure over the area this weekend with above normal temperatures. Trough will move offshore this weekend with potent upper building over the Carolinas this weekend. Surface high pressure centered over New England and the Mid-Atlantic will continue to dominate our weather, with dry conditions expected despite lingering moisture in PWATS around 1.2"-1.5". The increasing heights is expected to lead to above normal temperatures both during the day and night, with highs in the upper 80s Saturday and perhaps low 90s Sunday. NBM probabilities of max temps greater than or equal to 90 degrees on Sunday are over 70 percent across much of the area south and west of the I-26 corridor. Values in excess of 90 percent are present through much of the CSRA. Normal high temperatures this time of year are in the low to mid 80s for Columbia.
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&& .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
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Key Message(s): - Generally benign weather with above normal temperatures - Chances of rain increase midweek with limited confidence Upper ridge remains in place early next week with a few shortwaves riding up and over. A few may graze the northern forecast area with a slight chance of showers on Tuesday or Wednesday, since moisture levels are expected to remain fairly steady with GEFS mean PWATs between 1.3" and 1.6". Warm, above normal temperatures are expected to continue through the middle of the week, with highs in the mid 80s to low 90s. Plenty of uncertainty remains in the forecast from Thursday onward as ensembles and deterministic models continue to disagree on the evolution of a potential tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico. There is potential we could see a shift in the overall pattern across our area late next week, but its too early for much speculation. However, temperatures may take a minor tick downwards but still remain above normal on Thursday.
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&& .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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VFR conditions will prevail into the overnight hours, with temporary IFR or lower conditions possible in low stratus/fog around daybreak Saturday. Diurnal cumulus has resulted in broken VFR level ceilings at the terminals this afternoon. While an isolated shower/thunderstorm is possible across parts of the central Midlands, probabilities are too low to include mention at any of the TAF sites. The cumulus will quickly dissipate with the loss of diurnal heating early this evening, leaving mainly clear skies overnight. The combination of light/calm winds, clear skies, and ample low level moisture will support the formation of low stratus and patchy fog late tonight. Many of the high resolution mesoscale models and the NBM support the greatest probabilities of low ceilings and reduced visibilities around KCAE/KCUB/KOGB, but cannot rule out the possibility extending southward into parts of the CSRA and impacting KAGS/KDNL as well. As a result, the TAFs show temporary IFR or lower conditions at all terminals from about 10-14Z. Rapidly improving ceilings/visibilities are then expected after 14Z with a return to VFR conditions at all terminals. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...No significant impacts to aviation expected through Tuesday.
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&& .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && $$