COLUMBIA, S.C. — Temperatures are well above average this week and continue the trend of a relatively warm Fall here in the Midlands.
Over the next 2 days, temperatures will range from 10 to 20 degrees above average with dozens of heat temperatures potentially being tied or broken over the next two days.
These types of setups have already occurred already this Fall and are occurring more often as seen in data from our partners at Climate Central. Since 1970 we have seen an increase in our warmest days by over a full week.
Using these trends our temperatures this week are 150% more likely as shown by the Climate Shift Index.
The pattern going forward does see us cooling down but overall, that Fall chill will be missing in the forecast. The upper levels of the atmosphere are going to stay in a relatively constant pattern of ridging in the East which will keep things mild. Colder air will likely only be experienced out in the Western US given this look.
This can be clearly seen in the Climate Prediction Center outlooks which feature a warmer picture not only this week but potentially through the end of this month. This will likely set the stage for a lot of days that will be unseasonably warmer heading towards Thanksgiving.