Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC

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989 FXUS62 KCAE 150650 AFDCAE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 250 AM EDT Sat Jun 15 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A weak front moves in from the north Saturday, with gradually increasing moisture into early next week with high pressure off the mid Atlantic Coast. Mainly expect isolated afternoon and evening convection possible through the middle of next week. High temperatures are expected to be in the low to mid 90s throughout much of the forecast period. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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The key message for today continues to be the heat this afternoon. Upper ridge continues to build over the region today into tonight as an upper trough slides eastward. At the surface, a front over the Mid-Atlantic slides south and through the region this afternoon. Ahead of the front, temperatures are expected to rise to the mid to upper 90s, and some places could see the warmest day of the year so far today. In addition, moisture levels rise somewhat as dew points are expected to rise into the upper 60s to around 70. This combination will likely lead to heat index values around 100 for much of the forecast area this afternoon. That said, some afternoon cloud cover is expected to develop, which could limit just how warm we get today. Nonetheless, it will likely be 5-10 degrees above average for this time of year. Be sure to take plenty of breaks and hydrate if you are spending time outdoors today, especially this afternoon. With the increase in moisture, front moving through from the north, and a sea breeze boundary moving in from the east, there is potential for some isolated to scattered thunderstorms over the eastern Midlands and lower CSRA this afternoon into evening. The greatest chance for thunderstorms would be along and east of the I-95 corridor. Overnight lows remain mild, generally in the low 70s.
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&& .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
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A building upper ridge will begin moving across the area into Sunday. Front stalls across the south by Sunday. Any isolated afternoon rainfall potential will be confined to the southern Midlands and CSRA during the afternoon hours, with the remainder of the forecast area remaining on the dry side. Upper ridge continues to build. There will be a slight increase in moisture and clouds as winds turn more easterly. This should allow slightly cooler temperatures in the afternoon, with highs in the lower to middle 90s.
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&& .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Upper ridge pattern will remain across the eastern US through the period. Much of the period will continue to be on the dry side, with maybe isolated late afternoon convection possible across the eastern cwa closer to the coastal plain each day. Confidence in any rainfall though is very low through the period. High temperatures will remain near to slightly above normal in the low 90s. && .AVIATION /06Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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VFR likely through the TAF period. Clear skies continue through about 15z or 16z when a cumulus field is expected to develop. A few isolated showers or thunderstorms could develop along a boundary in the 19z to 00z timeframe, with highest chances for AGS/DNL and OGB. However, confidence is too low that any terminal will see activity so have left mention of it out of the TAF for now. Winds north of the boundary are forecast to be from the northeast from 5-10 kts through much of the afternoon while locations near the boundary will likely be light and variable. After 22z or 23z, expect winds everywhere to become east southeast, but remain light around 5 kts. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Low probability of significant restrictions although isolated to scattered afternoon showers or thunderstorms are possible Sunday.
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&& .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && $$