Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC

Home |  Current Version |  Previous Version |  Graphics & Text |  Print | Product List |  Glossary Off
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
-- Remove Highlighting --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
021 FXUS62 KCAE 250717 AFDCAE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 317 AM EDT Tue Jun 25 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
-- Changed Discussion --
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.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
-- Changed Discussion --
KEY MESSAGES: -Heat continues to hold on over the area with max heat indices over 100. A front remains oriented from southwest to northeast in the eastern portion of the forecast area denoted by the significant low level moisture gradient with dew points in the 70s in the SE and in the 50s to the NW. High pressure ridging into the area with water vapor satellite imagery indicating fairly substantial mid-layer dry air continues to push in from the NW. Above average temperatures continue today with 850mb temperatures slightly higher, although not expecting downsloping like yesterday. As a result, high temperatures will likely be similar to yesterday, mainly in the upper 90s to around 100. Drier air expected to mix down to the surface, keeping dew points a bit lower, generally in the mid to upper 60s, which will likely keep heat indices below heat advisory criteria but still in the triple digits for most of the area. Most of the area expected to remain dry, although isolated storms may develop near the boundary, which is not expected to move much of the course of today. Mild overnight lows continue, in the low to mid 70s.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
-- Changed Discussion --
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.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
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.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .AVIATION /06Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... VFR conditions expected through the TAF period. Drier air continues to move in over the terminals early this morning with scattered clouds around 10kft. Winds remain around 5 kts out of the NE overnight at the terminals with winds shifting more easterly after sunrise between 5 to 10 kts. Cumulus field develops around 5kft late morning with highest chance for any showers or thunderstorms east of the terminals. Winds generally becoming light and variable after sunset tonight. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Increasing chances for afternoon scattered showers and thunderstorms and associated restrictions through Saturday. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && $$