Columbus, Georgia 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

780
FXUS62 KFFC 251144
AFDFFC

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
644 AM EST Wed Dec 25 2024

...New 12Z Aviation Discussion...

.SHORT TERM...
(Today through Thursday)
Issued at 324 AM EST Wed Dec 25 2024

Skies early this Christmas morning were mostly clear across the
area, with just some thin cirrus clouds spreading across the S third
of the County Warning Area (CWA). These clouds are the northern
extension of moisture associated with a shortwave moving across the
E Gulf of Mexico. 3 AM temperatures were mostly in the 30s across the
area, with some upper 20s across the NE mountains.

A more significant shortwave is presently digging over the S Plains.
This feature is forecast to lift NE and rapidly dampen through
Thursday morning as an even stronger shortwave strengthens over the S
Central Plains. This will produce ridging over the area, with
gradually warming temperatures (particularly for overnight lows).
Mostly thin high clouds will continue today. Increasing mid and low
clouds are expected on Thursday as moisture increases from the S.
However, no precipitation is expected through the day Thursday.

High temperatures today will range from the upper 40s in portions of
N GA to the lower 60s in the S. Lows Thursday morning are forecast to
range from the mid to upper 30s across most of the area, with some
lower 40s across the extreme S. High temperatures on Thursday will be
similar to today`s except a few degrees cooler in areas with more
cloudiness. /SEC

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Thursday night through Tuesday)
Issued at 324 AM EST Wed Dec 25 2024

Highlights:

 - Appreciable rainfall and a few thunderstorms return for most
   areas this weekend. Another round of rainfall possible around the
   New Year.

 - Near normal temperatures Friday with temperatures increasing to
   above normal through the remainder of the period.

At the start of the long term, a midlevel ridge and CAD wedge will
be in place along the east coast which will keep easterly flow off
the Atlantic present over the region. Consistent with the previous
forecast, the wedge does look to strengthen as the return of SW-ly
flow aloft would support overrunning of precip into the wedge acting
to cool areas beneath.

As we approach the weekend, a broader trough will translate eastward
across Plains towards the TN and Ohio Valley regions Saturday
through Monday. Midlevel ridging will gradually shift east and the
wedge will begin to erode. Surface winds will veer to the
south/southwest ushering moisture back into the area. Ahead of an
approaching low pressure system and weak frontal boundary scattered
light rain showers will begin as early as Friday spreading eastward.
Rainfall will become more widespread (potentially moderate to heavy
at times) on Saturday into Sunday as 850mb moisture transport
increases. This has led WPC to introduce a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of
4) for excessive rainfall across North GA (generally areas along and
north of I-20) for this time period. Additionally, model guidance
has trended upwards slightly for rainfall amounts through the
weekend with current QPF ranges from 0.5" to 1.75" (lower totals
across southeast part of the forecast area). Higher totals ranging
2.0" to 2.5" may fall across the higher elevations of NE GA. Thus,
locally heavy rainfall will certainly be something to monitor in
subsequent forecasts. A slight chance for thunderstorms will be
possible on Sunday for parts of western and central GA where
ensembles still indicate a 40 to 60% probability of CAPE values near
500J/kg. If thunderstorms are able to get organized (continuing to
monitor shear profiles), this may further add to the potential
locally heavy rainfall threat.

We look to get a brief reprieve of rainfall early next week, but
another system may impact the forecast area right around the New
Year so stay tuned...

A fairly decent temperatures spread is possible on Friday with the
wedge in place over much of NE GA. Forecast highs will generally
range from the upper 40s (within the wedge) to mid 60s across far
south-central GA. Temperatures will warm through the weekend with
forecast highs in the 60s to low 70s (upper 50s in NE GA) and
forecast lows in the 40s and 50s.

07

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 642 AM EST Wed Dec 25 2024

VFR conditions will continue. E winds will pick up later this
morning, although speeds will continue to be light.

//ATL Confidence...12Z Update...
High for all elements.

SEC

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          56  36  54  41 /   0   0   0  10
Atlanta         57  39  55  44 /   0   0   0  10
Blairsville     54  34  54  39 /   0   0   0  10
Cartersville    58  39  57  44 /   0   0   0   0
Columbus        61  41  60  47 /   0   0   0   0
Gainesville     55  37  54  42 /   0   0   0  10
Macon           61  38  58  45 /   0   0   0  10
Rome            58  37  58  43 /   0   0   0  10
Peachtree City  58  37  57  44 /   0   0   0  10
Vidalia         62  42  59  48 /   0   0   0  10

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None.

$$

SHORT TERM...SEC
LONG TERM....07
AVIATION...SEC