Rain Chances Increase; Temps Decrease
Good Morning Folks! We'll retain the summer like conditions this weekend and although temps drop a handful of degrees as we move into next week, muggy and wet conditions will increase as Atlantic moisture pours into the area from the south and east. By the end of next week the models hint at the disturbance forming in the southern Gulf of Mexico to provide additional rains, however a cold front is expected to push the bulk of the rain out by next weekend, with a possible push of below normal temps into the Southeast by early next week! It's hard to temper the excitement we have for cooler temps, but anything on the models more than five days out should be taken with a grain of salt, however the overall long range pattern does looks conducive for seasonal, if not below normal temps. For now we will deal with increasing clouds, scattered showers for most of SW NC (heavy rains possible for the escarpment) and gradually declining temps as we move through the weekend and next week.
Today features thick and dense fog to start the day throughout the valleys but high and thin clouds this afternoon are good bet, with periods of sunshine that bring temps to the low 80's across the lower elevations. The ridgelines will be much cooler but still above normal as they reach the mid 60's, with isolated showers developing past midday and although showers can develop just about anywhere, the best chance for showers will be along the Great Balsams and escarpment as easterly flow sets up shop across the Carolinas. Overnight temps dip into the upper 50's - low 60's depending upon elevation, under mostly cloudy skies and patchy fog throughout the deeper valleys. If you're going to the Western football game today, be sure to bring plenty of water as temps start out in the low 80's and only cool off to the mid 70's by games end.
Sunday repeats the setup we'll experience today, however temps might be a degree or two cooler as they near 80°F in the valleys and low - mid 60's along the ridgelines. There should be more sunshine overhead as well, however clouds fill back in overnight into Monday.
Monday features partly cloudy skies with pop up showers during the afternoon hours, with temps peaking to the upper 70's and by Tuesday temps will only make it to the mid 70's, mainly due scattered showers and cloudy skies. Rain chances peak Wednesday and Thursday as the potential Gulf of Mexico system migrates toward our region and by the end of the week its likely a cold front will swing through, kicking out the disturbance but also ushering in cooler temps!
We'll provide another update Monday morning but overall expect increasing humidity levels, slightly cooler temps and the potential for below average temps by next weekend.