Santa brings SW NC Fair Weather for Christmas

Good Morning Folks! Some housekeeping first. Our next discussion will come out Wednesday but no need to fret as the weather will be fair and quiet after today's passing showers, with our next rainmaker arriving late Thursday and lingering into Saturday.

Showers are passing overhead as we speak and coverage will begin to wind down by the mid afternoon hours, however a piece of energy will swing nearby to the north tonight, allowing light snow showers to fall across the TN line. We don't expect much in the way of accumulations, perhaps an inch or two for the Smokies and maybe a dusting up to an inch for Cataloochee Ski Area. Temps tonight will dip into the low - upper 20's tonight, alongside winds shifting to out of the northwest, becoming steady around 10 - 15mph and gusting up to 40mph across the ridgelines.

Clouds and precip clear the region by sunrise tomorrow, setting up a sunny Christmas Eve and this fair weather will linger across the Southeast through at least Wednesday, possibly Thursday. Temps will gradually warm with each passing day, starting out in the upper 30's - mid 40's Christmas Eve and rising to the mid 40's - upper 50's by Wednesday. Overnight lows will follow suit, settling into the upper 20's - low 30's Monday night and holding to the upper 30's - low 40's Wednesday night as clouds fill in across the area.

The models point to a heavy rain event beginning Thursday, peaking in coverage Friday and winding down Saturday. We don't have a firm grasp on timing or totals at this time but the general consensus is that the escarpment will once again be the prime spot for rain, perhaps upwards of 3 - 4" over the course of two days. Check back in Wednesday for more details, but if you have outdoor plans Thursday through Saturday, you may want to begin rescheduling or finding alternatives.

Merry Christmas to everyone and safe travels this holiday season!!!