531 FXUS62 KFFC 231553 AFDFFC Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 1053 AM EST Wed Dec 23 2020 .UPDATE... No changes needed to the ongoing forecast. High pressure remains in control. Upper level clouds will continue to thicken through the day, but conditions will remain dry. && .PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 635 AM EST Wed Dec 23 2020/ SHORT TERM /Today through Thursday/... An upper ridge will move across the forecast area this morning with the upper flow transitioning to southwest by afternoon. A cold front will stretch along the MS River Valley this evening as moisture begins to surge northward into the forecast area. As a deep trough moves from the central states into the east...the cold front will progress across GA on Thursday. Rain will become widespread across the area overnight and into Thursday. With such a sharp trough there will possibly be a few thunderstorms across north and central GA later tonight and Thursday. Models progress this system rapidly and show the rain ending and front moving east of the area Thursday afternoon. Cold air advection begins across northwest GA Thursday afternoon with temperatures falling into the 30s. Precipitation becomes mixed over the northwest after 18z with the mixture possibly starting out with rain/sleet/snow. Looks like the mix should become all snow by early evening...with flurries possible as far south as the Atlanta metro area. With current timing of the system...snow amounts for Thursday afternoon could reach up to 1.00 to 1.5 inches on the highest peaks. Will hold off on an advisory at this time to get another look at the model runs. 41 LONG TERM /Thursday Night through Tuesday/... Lingering flurries and CAA snow showers Christmas Eve across portions of north Georgia to start out the extended forecast period. Should be ending before Daybreak on Christmas morning leaving cold and blustery conditions across the region. Should start to see temperatures moderating as we head into the early part of next week as the upper-level pattern flattens out some. Quick moving short wave zips through the Ohio Valley late Sunday into Monday. Models trending less impactful for north Georgia as the main short wave energy remains north of the state along with its associated surface low. Weak cold front pushes into the forecast area but models are showing only slight moisture return ahead of the front. 20 AVIATION... 12Z Update... VFR conditions expected through early evening with mainly clear skies and some cirrus. Ceilings lowering into MVFR after 03z and IFR after 06z. Rain developing after 03z with isolated thunder possible. Winds light northeast increasing to 8 to 10 kts by late this morning and becoming more east southeast after 00z. //ATL Confidence...12Z Update... Medium to high on timing of lower ceilings and rain. High on all else. 41 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 60 49 58 25 / 0 60 100 20 Atlanta 60 48 54 24 / 0 70 100 10 Blairsville 52 43 50 18 / 5 90 100 20 Cartersville 60 45 52 21 / 10 90 80 20 Columbus 65 50 57 26 / 0 70 90 5 Gainesville 57 47 54 24 / 0 80 100 20 Macon 67 51 60 26 / 0 40 100 10 Rome 61 45 51 22 / 10 100 70 20 Peachtree City 63 48 54 24 / 0 70 100 10 Vidalia 70 54 68 30 / 0 30 80 20 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...NListemaa LONG TERM....20 AVIATION...41