FXUS62 KCAE 031055 AFDCAE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 555 AM EST Tue Feb 3 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Aviation section updated. && .KEY MESSAGES... - 1) Another chilly night expected, especially across the Northern Midlands. Areas of black ice possible. - 2) A passing cold front brings a chance of rain. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE #1: Another chilly night expected, especially across the northern Midlands. Areas of black ice possible. Temperatures have fallen below freezing across much of the forecast area tonight thanks to clear skies and light winds. Expect temperatures to continue falling through the overnight period, especially in areas that still have a snow pack. Any location that saw snow melt today will continue to have a risk of black ice as well. Temperatures at daybreak should range from the mid teens to lower 20s in the central and northern Midlands and the lower to mid 20s in the southern Midlands and CSRA. KEY MESSAGE #2: A passing cold front brings a chance of rain. No significant changes regarding the upcoming upper pattern as a deepening trough moves southeast into the forecast area Wednesday night into Thursday. This will be accompanied by a surface cold front that will bring rain to the forecast area as early as late tonight. The bulk of the precipitation is expected to fall on Wednesday when it may be moderate to heavy at times, though flash flooding is not anticipated at this time. Maintained the thinking of the previous shift and removed any frozen precipitation from the forecast. As mentioned, drier air moving aloft should preclude any changeover from rain to snow Wednesday night. While a brief period of freezing drizzle cannot be ruled out based on temperature profiles, the majority of the precipitation should have exited the region prior to subfreezing temperatures moving in Wednesday night. Outside of a spotty shower, rain should be over by daybreak Thursday. && .AVIATION /12Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... VFR conditions expected through the TAF period. The next weather system is developing to our west but no significant aviation concerns for the next 24 hrs. Some higher clouds will move over the area by dawn and continue to thicken through the day. Ceilings heights begin to lower late afternoon through the evening as moisture advection ahead of an approaching cold front occurs. Any precipitation looks to hold off until near the end of the forecast. Winds generally light to calm through 15z then picking up from the southwest around 6 to 9 knots through the afternoon. A few gusts up to 15 knots cannot be ruled out but should be brief. Winds then diminish to around 5-6 knots after 00z. Some light rain is expected to move into the region after 06z but not confident in vsby restrictions lower than VFR through 12z but possibly could see some MVFR cigs in the 08z-12z time frame. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Another system and front moving into the area late Tuesday night and into Wednesday likely to bring some restrictions back to the region. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...07 AVIATION...23