COLUMBIA, S.C. — An area of high pressure will provide a short break from the unsettled conditions today. However, shower and thunderstorm chances will rise again on Friday, with particularly active weather expected early Saturday. The unsettled conditions will persist into Sunday, but relief is in sight as high pressure builds, leading to decreasing rain chances and a gradual increase in temperatures.
Satellite imagery shows drier air moving in from the west as upper-level ridging builds over the region. Despite recent rains providing ample surface moisture, a weak inversion aloft will limit vertical cloud development, resulting in no showers this afternoon and evening. Highs will be in the middle 80s. Tonight, skies will clear, and temperatures will drop to the mid-60s.
The upper ridge will begin moving east on Friday, responding to an upper-level low moving out of the Southern Plains. Increasing moisture will lead to isolated or scattered showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Rainfall chances will increase Friday night as a deeper trough approaches the region. Daytime temperatures will reach the low to mid-80s, with overnight lows in the mid to upper 60s due to increased cloud cover.
Saturday's weather is uncertain due to varying model timings, but numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected across the area. The National Blend of Models (NBM) suggests high precipitation probabilities for most of the day. The Storm Prediction Center does have the area at a marginal risk of severe weather.
On Sunday, as the upper low moves east, showers will likely occur in the morning, with potential drying in the afternoon and evening. Dry conditions are expected from Sunday night through Wednesday as drier air returns, and temperatures will rise above normal next week.