textproduct: Columbia

WHAT HAS CHANGED

Updated discussion because rain has all but left the forecast area. A Lake Wind Advisory remains in effect through Sunday evening.

KEY MESSAGES

- 1. A strong cold front brings cooler weather and breezy conditions this weekend. A Lake Wind Advisory is currently in effect through Sunday evening.

DISCUSSION

Key Message 1: A strong cold front brings cooler weather and breezy conditions this weekend. A Lake Wind Advisory is currently in effect through Sunday evening.

A strong cold front has pushed through the forecast area, causing the winds to turn north to northwesterly. Winds increase though the day to between 8-15 mph. Gusts will also return and could reach over 25-30 mph at times. The showers associated with the front and upper synoptic forcing have essentially moved out of the forecast area at this hour. Thereafter, strong northwesterly winds settle in for most of today, switching to northeasterly for Sunday as the cutoff low lingers off the Carolina coast. Strong cold advection will result in high temperatures in the mid to upper 60s this afternoon and only the low 60s on Sunday.

Additionally, because of the frequent wind gusts over 30 mph expected both days, a longer duration Lake Wind Advisory has been issued through Sunday evening. Boaters on area lakes should be cautious, especially in the evening and overnight as warm lake waters will allow stronger wind gusts to persist over the lakes at night. In the wake of the front, a dramatically cooler and drier airmass will settle into the area all weekend, allowing overnight temps to drop sharply. It currently looks like the coldest night should be later tonight, with much of the area in the 40s and a few sheltered locations near the North Carolina border dropping into the upper 30s. Next week looks beautiful with large daily diurnal spreads owing to a very dry airmass in place. Highs in the low to mid 70s and lows in the 40s are likely throughout much of the week.

AVIATION /12Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Gusty winds today with some light showers early this morning.

A strong cold front is pushing through the region early this morning along with widespread light rain. This will shift winds from the SW to the NW with gusts around 20 kts through 14Z or so. Visibility restrictions from rainfall are both possible as the front passes and MVFR ceilings will also be possible behind the front. MVFR ceilings could linger through late morning hours but should improve back to VFR by 18Z at all terminals, with maybe the exception of OGB. Wind gusts will be 20 to 25 knots for most of the day with a shift to a more northerly component by late afternoon. Gusts should subside near the end of the forecast period but winds will remain elevated through the evening.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Gusty winds are expected to continue Sunday. Dry weather and weaker winds are expected for the remainder of the extended.

CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

SC...Lake Wind Advisory until 8 PM EDT Sunday for SCZ016-018- 020>022-025>031-035-037-038-041-115-116-135>137. GA...Lake Wind Advisory until 8 PM EDT Sunday for GAZ040-063>065- 077.