Showers and a Slight Cool Down

Good afternoon folks! We are enjoying another sunny spring day across the region as we wrap up the weekend, with showers expected to return as early as the pre dawn hours on Monday. We'll deal with two disturbances Monday into Tuesday that will be the catalyst for rain across the region. The first will be a passing front on Monday and the second an upper level shortwave swinging across the area Tuesday around midday, both of which will provide us with 1 - 2" of rain, although the higher end totals will be isolated. By Wednesday sunshine will return and linger into Friday, with the models hinting at another passing front for next weekend but we'll wait till at least Tuesday before putting any stock into that scenario. Temps all the while will go from above average today to normal Monday and then below normal Tuesday (by 4 - 6 degrees), taking till Thursday to return to normal levels, which for Cullowhee is the mid 60's for early April.

Temps tonight will fall into the low - upper 40's depending upon elevation as cloudy skies develop, with light isolated showers developing around 3 - 6am on Monday. Showers increase to scattered coverage throughout the morning hours, becoming widespread later in the day as the front sweeps the region and the possibility for a few thunderstorms exist as well; nothing severe is expected. Temps Monday hold to the upper 40's along the ridgelines and the low 60's in the valleys, dipping into the mid 30's - low 40's Monday night with coverage scaling back to scattered for the region. The NWS mentions there is a possibility for wet snow late Monday night along the highest ridgelines, which of course will not impact anyone but don't be surprised if you hear some reports of snow for a few hours Tuesday morning at places like Mt Mitchell or Mt LeConte.

Showers continue into Tuesday but become widespread for a few hours around midday, winding down by the late evening hours, which is a few hours past our previous forecast. The highest rain totals will be found in the usual spots along the N GA and SC state lines as southwesterly flow provides better coverage for a few hours Monday before becoming widespread. Temps Tuesday only reach the low 40's - mid 50's and although this in not chilly, it certainly will not be a warm day as cloudy skies take till the overnight hours to clear the region. Temps Tuesday night return to the upper 20's along the ridgelines and settle into the mid - upper 30's for the valleys.

Sunshine returns Wednesday but NW flow will keep temps slightly below normal, taking till Thursday for temps to hit normal levels and they'll continue to climb a degree or two with each passing day till they level out on Saturday. Temps hit the mid 40's - upper 50's Wednesday and eventually warm to the mid 50's - upper 60's on Saturday, with overnight lows generally in the 30's each night through Thursday night, warming to the 40's by the weekend.

We'll hold off with a forecast for late next week and next weekend and wait till Tuesday afternoon to provide more details, which is when our next discussion will be released.