A Slow Uptick in Moisture Levels
Good afternoon folks! The forecast begins on Friday and we'll let the details fizzle out by Wednesday of next week, but for the most part we expect a slow and steady uptick in moisture levels beginning Sunday, peaking sometime late next week. The models still do not have a good handle on where the low pressure out of the gulf south will end up, however one thing is for certain and that is available moisture levels will be high enough for scattered showers and thunderstorms Sunday through Wednesday. The good news is for those moving back and to WCU tomorrow and this weekend, as the weather should be dry and not to chaotic to allow for a somewhat stress free move in; if there even such a thing. Temps Friday through the middle of next week remain seasonal and although moisture/dewpoint levels increase, increasing cloud cover should help keep temps and subsequent heat index levels from reaching dangerous levels.
NOAA put out their September outlook this week and for those wishing for fall like weather (think frosty mornings) you'll have to wait till the end of the month or most likely, the middle of October; they are calling for slightly above average temps and drier than normal precip chances.
Friday will provide us with mostly sunny skies, a few small clouds along the ridgelines and temps will make a run at the mid - upper 80's across the valleys, while the ridgelines enjoy temps in the low - mid 70's. Overnight lows dip into the upper 50's - low 60's under mostly clear skies, with fog developing in the valleys after midnight.
Saturday and Sunday look pleasant for mid August with mostly sunny skies starting each day and whereas Saturday features isolated thunderstorms, Sunday will ramp up coverage to scattered coverage, with a noticeable uptick in humidity levels. Temps Saturday and Sunday push into the mid - upper 80's once again for the lower elevations, with temps returning to the low - mid 60's each night under partly cloudy skies.
By early next week the pattern solidifies to a classic summertime setup, with muggy conditions, afternoon thunderstorms and temps only reaching the mid 80's across the valleys. Strong thunderstorms are likely and remain our biggest threat (heavy downpours), with nothing severe showing up at this point in time.
Our next discussion will come out Sunday and we'll fine tune the details for Monday through Thursday, with a look at when the pattern may change to something more favorable.