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Area forecast discussion 
National Weather Service Columbia SC 
852 PM EST Tuesday Dec 2 2008 


Synopsis... 


Dry high pressure will build into the area through Wednesday. A 
weak cold front will cross the area from the west on Thursday. High 
pressure over the Midwest will build in from the west Friday into 
Saturday. Temperatures will generally be at or a few degrees below 
normal for the next few days. 


&& 


Near term /through tonight/... 


Surface high pressure centered over the Florida Panhandle will 
build northward overnight. Skies have cleared and winds have gone 
calm at most locations and with the dry airmass in place...it 
should be an excellent radiational cooling night. Temperatures at 
00z were running a little cooler than forecast grids and guidance 
so have adjusted them accordingly and also lowered the min 
temperatures a couple of degrees...with lows generally in the middle 
20s. The remainder of the forecast looks to be in good shape. 


&& 


Short term /Wednesday through Thursday night/... 


High pressure will remain in control into Wednesday. The center of 
the high pressure will slip off the East Coast by early Thursday 
as a weak cold front approaches from the west. GFS has front 
moving into the western Carolinas sometime after sunrise Thursday. 
Moisture appears limited with the front so slight chance pop 
appears looks reasonable mainly during the afternoon. Afternoon 
temperatures may top out close to 60 degrees at some locations but will 
depend on how much cloud cover is in place. Qpfs will probably be 
less than 0.05 inches. The front should move off the coast by early 
Friday as a large area of high pressure builds in from the Great 
Plains. 


&& 


Long term /Friday through Tuesday/... 


High pressure should remain in control Friday into Saturday. GFS 
showing a dry clipper system moving through the southeastern states by early 
Sunday. GFS hinting at the next cold front affecting the area by 
Tuesday. Uncertain with timing and strength of this system but low 
chance probability of precipitation for Tuesday looks reasonable. Temperatures generally a few 
degrees below normal through the extended period. 


&& 


Aviation /01z Wednesday through Sunday/... 


High pressure will build across the area during the next 24 hours. 
VFR conditions are expected. Light westerly winds this evening will 
become southerly Wednesday afternoon. 


Extended aviation outlook...a brief period of showers and/or MVFR 
ceilings are possible late Thursday as a cold front moves through. 
Otherwise...no significant impacts expected Wednesday through Sunday. 


&& 


Cae watches/warnings/advisories... 
SC...none. 
Georgia...none. 


&& 


$$ 


Near term...hc 
aviation...10