textproduct: Columbia

WHAT HAS CHANGED

Reduced key messages to just 1 as moisture is anticipated to begin increasing today. Aviation updated for 06z TAFs.

KEY MESSAGES

- 1. Moisture increases heading into the weekend and into next week, bringing rain chances back to the area.

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGE 1: Moisture increases heading into the weekend and into next week, bringing rain chances back to the area.

An upper ridge remains over the Southeast early this morning. Meanwhile, an upper low is developing off the Southeast coast. The ridge is forecast to retrograde westward, driven by the upper low moving westward over Florida and into the Gulf. This will leave our area on the periphery of the upper ridge. As it does, moisture is expected to slowly increase through the day Thursday before ramping up Friday an into the weekend. Energy moving around the aforementioned upper ridge brings increased chances for showers and thunderstorms beginning Friday afternoon continuing through the weekend and into next week as moisture lingers. A relative lull in activity remains possible for Sunday. As far as temperatures go, a gradual warming trend is forecast to continue today into tomorrow before returning to near normal as we head into next week.

AVIATION /06Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/

VFR conditions expected through the 24hr forecast period.

Satellite imagery continues to show mainly clear skies with only a few passing higher cirrus. High pressure continues to dominate through this forecast period with winds light and variable to near calm overnight. Drier air in place tonight should prevent any fog/stratus concerns. A brief window of visibility restrictions remains possible at AGS just before sunrise but confidence is low in this potential. Winds pick back up to around 5-6 knots after 15z mainly from an easterly direction.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Increasing chances for showers and storms by this weekend.

CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

SC...None. GA...None.