Campus Weather Forecast 03/19/2026

Friday Morning Forecast (03/20/2026)

Friday: Mostly Sunny. High 83°F 

Friday Night: Clear. Low 55°F   

Saturday: Sunny. High 85°F   

Saturday Night: Partly Cloudy. Low 61°F

Sunday: Increasing Clouds. High 76°F

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General Discussion:   

A strong high pressure located in the southwestern U.S. keeps temperatures 20 to 25 degrees above average (Avg: 58°F) throughout the weekend. Columbia is expected to tie the record high Friday (Record: 84°F). A cold front will enter the region Sunday afternoon, bringing temperatures back to average (Avg: 58°F).

-Hughley

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Forecasters: Fields, Hughley

Date Issued: 03/20/2026 1530Z  

Technical Discussion: 

Key Messages:   

• Clear conditions will persist into weekend due to blocking occurring in Southwest U.S.
• Temperatures will reach near record highs before cooler air enters the region by Sunday afternoon.

Friday 

There is a northwesterly upper-level flow due to a dominant high-pressure system centered over the desert Southwest, assisted by a deep trough located over the East coast. There is little to no divergence aloft as this ridge passes, which will help support calm weather for the Midwest. This is evidenced by the low vorticity and omega values (-1 to –3) seen throughout the day. Relative humidity is low with values ranging from 30%-55% on Friday, so there will be little cloud coverage to prevent intense surface heating. The lack of moisture is due to the absence of a low-level jet and weak, disorganized winds at 850 mb. These factors lead to high temperatures in the low 80s. 

Saturday 

Shortwaves are seen in the continuing northwesterly flow at 250 mb. This causes a slight increase in vorticity, but active weather is further suppressed by a lack of moisture (only 20%-45%) and lift (OMEGA ranging from –1 to +1) throughout the day. There is a continued absence of a low-level jet, with variable winds at 850 mb, which continues the trend of little to no moisture advection. This is evidenced by dewpoint depressions at 850 mb remaining around 15°C all day. The warming trend continues as well due to WAA beginning in the afternoon and ending Sunday afternoon, bringing Saturday highs into the mid-80s. 

Sunday 

Upper-level flow has a zonal shift as the high in the desert Southwest weakens, and the deep trough to the East travels into the Atlantic. Shortwaves are seen at 500 mb which cause an increase in vorticity, but 700 mb relative humidity values are at their lowest for the weekend (15%-30%). There is a significant increase in lift due to the passage of a cold front, but low moisture inhibits the production of rainfall and active weather. Before the frontal passage, the low-level jet picks up. However, due to its southwesterly orientation, it is advecting warm, dry air. As the cold front passes, it decreases high temperatures into the mid-70s heading into Monday.  

Future forecasters should monitor changes in moisture as the cold front passes. 

-Fields