Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Columbia, SC

Home |  Current Version |  Previous Version |  Text Only |  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
019
FXUS62 KCAE 091812
AFDCAE

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Columbia SC
112 PM EST Tue Dec 9 2025

.SYNOPSIS...
Cool and cloudy conditions continue today with below normal
temperatures. Dry conditions are then anticipated for the mid
to late week period with near to slightly below normal
temperatures. A colder air mass may move in behind a dry cold
front early next week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Key message(s):

- Cool and dry, clouds clearing this afternoon

Clouds have held in longer than most models projected leading to
temps in the upper 30s to low 40s through mid day. Now that we
are beginning to see some clearing, which will continue through
the afternoon, those temps should jump up a bit into the mid 40s
to upper 40s for highs. With high pressure moving directly over
the region, winds will be light and variable through the day.

Tonight, expect below normal temperatures in the mid to upper
20s. The HRRR which had a better handle than most models on
the low clouds through the morning shows redevelopment late
tonight. This could hinder cooling during the early morning
hours on Wednesday.

&&

.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
Key message(s):

- Breezy for Wednesday as a dry front moves, followed by below
average temps.

As strong low pressure system cuts through the Great Lakes, an
associated surface front will drag across the Appalachians on
Wednesday. The pressure gradient will notably strengthen by late
morning and drive some gusty southwest winds throughout the day,
along with completely clearing out any residual low stratus. Gusts
to around 35mph are expected in the afternoon and a Lake Wind
Advisory is out from late morning into the evening. With PWAT`s down
below 0.75" and limited forcing, this front will be dry as it moves
through in the evening. Dry high pressure will then build in for
Thursday behind this front with below average temps returning,
despite sunny clear skies; 1000-500mb thicknesses will be around 540-
535dm, so a modest shot of cold air pushing in.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Key message(s):

- Moderating temps through Saturday before a strong, but dry, front
arrives late in the weekend.

The trough that digs in Thursday will steadily flatten out as weak
surface ridging pushes into the area. Temps will steadily moderate
to right around average, in the 50`s and low 60`s with PWAT`s too
low for any precip. A strong digging trough is the next notable
weather maker which will approach the area Sunday. Strengthening
southwest flow and some persistent moisture advection could
help pop a few showers across the area Sunday ahead the surface
front, but widespread rain looks unlikely. The front will then
push through sometime late Sunday with a strong cold advection
regime behind it; temps will then run below for the early half
of next week. The ensemble guidance however is in a state, with
great discrepancies in how far south this cold, shallow airmass
can make it. The NBM 25- 75th percentiles for morning lows on
Monday ranges from 17-34 F and then similarly again for Tuesday
morning. So, it will take some time for the ensembles to come
into better agreement on how this cold airmass will progress.

&&

.AVIATION /17Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
MVFR/IFR ceilings possible early Wednesday morning

High pressure over the region will keeps winds light and
variable through today. The HRRR, which verified well with
stratus over the past 24 hours, is indicating the potential for
stratus/strato cu to build back in tonight as SW winds develop.
This will likely lead to a period of MVFR or possibly IFR
ceilings around 12Z. We are expecting restrictions to be short
lived however as the pressure gradient tightens and winds begin
gusting around 15Z. SW wind gusts above 20 kts are likely
through the afternoon with gusts up to 30 kts possible.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Dry air will hinder widespread
restrictions through much of the extended, but localized fog
along river valleys will be possible some mornings.

&&

.CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SC...Lake Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 11 PM EST Wednesday for
     SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035-037-038-041-115-116-
     135>137.
GA...Lake Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 11 PM EST Wednesday for
     GAZ040-063>065-077.

&&

$$