COLUMBIA, S.C. — Mostly cloudy skies are forecast for today. Temperatures will be very warm for November. The weekend will be a little cooler. The clouds will return Sunday along with a small chance of rain.
Today's temperatures started off unusually warm, with both Columbia and Augusta experiencing near-record high morning lows, ranging from the upper 60s to around 70 degrees.
This warmth is due in part to a strengthening upper ridge located near the Mississippi Valley, which is intensifying the upper-level pattern and leading to a northwest airflow over our area. According to water vapor imagery, this flow is likely to cause a gradual decrease in atmospheric moisture as the day progresses, breaking up some of the clouds by the afternoon.
High temperatures are expected to reach the upper 70s to low 80s. A rare warmth for this time of year. High dew points will add to the muggy feel, making it a somewhat uncomfortable day outdoors. Although isolated showers may pop up due to lingering moisture, they will likely remain light if any occur.
Later tonight, a cold front will move into the area, resulting in a slight drop in temperatures. However, lows will still be warmer than average, ranging from the mid-50s in the north to the low 60s in the southern areas.
Saturday promises to be a cooler, dry day as high pressure briefly settles over the region. Expect seasonable daytime highs ranging from the upper 60s in northern areas to the mid-70s in the south. By Saturday night, temperatures will dip further, reaching around 50 degrees in the north and the mid-50s in the southern areas.
By Sunday, moisture will return as a warm front advances from the south, bringing isolated to scattered showers to the area late in the day.
As we head into Monday, scattered showers may continue as a weak front moves through. High pressure is expected to build by Tuesday, bringing dry conditions back to the area.
By Wednesday, however, a stronger cold front is anticipated to arrive, likely bringing additional rain and cooler temperatures toward the end of the week. This shift will introduce a noticeable change in the overall weather pattern as the week progresses.