textproduct: Columbia

WHAT HAS CHANGED

A Lake Wind Advisory is currently in effect through Sunday evening. Aviation discussion updated for 06z TAFs.

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 is currently pushing through the Piedmont early this morning and eventually into the Midlands and areas east shortly. As the front moves through, winds will turn quickly out of the northwest, and increase once again to between 8-15 mph. Gusts will also return and could reach over 25-30 mph at times. With strong synoptic forcing overspreading the area behind the front, and possibly enough moisture moving through the region, some light scattered showers are sill forecast to develop relatively quickly across the area in the next few hours. Thereafter, strong northeasterly winds settle in for most of today and into 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 /06Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Gusty winds today with some light showers early this morning.

A strong cold front will push through the region early this morning. This will shift winds from the SW to the NW with gusts around 20 kts through 12Z. Some light rain and MVFR ceilings are possible with the frontal passage but we are not confident restrictions from rainfall. MVFR ceilings may 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.