Soggy this Weekend; A Wet Halloween?
Good afternoon folks! We sure are enjoying this gorgeous weather today and if you haven't been up to the higher elevations, be sure to do so soon as the colors are peaking and the weather beginning Saturday will not be ideal for a Parkway drive. We expect Friday to be cloudy with a light shower or two, while Saturday and Sunday feature region wide showers that should carry over into Monday. Spotty shower chances will start the work and school week and ramp up to widespread coverage sometime Wednesday or Thursday, with much colder temps moving into the area late next week. The areas that will pick up the most rainfall will be along the N GA and SC state lines, with locations such as Highlands, Lake Toxaway or Brevard in the running for the highest seven day total. Temps will be slightly below normal through Saturday, then inch upward to above normal levels Sunday through Tuesday, falling back to below normal levels by the middle of next week. Rainfall totals starting Friday and ending Wednesday/Thursday of next week will be roughly 2 - 4" across SW NC, with a few spots close to 5".
Friday brings us increasing clouds during the morning hours, thick cloudy skies during the afternoon hours and isolated showers sliding across the entire region after midday (out of the southwest). Isolated shower coverage will continue overnight, so our outlook for Friday Night Football has changed and we now recommend rain jackets or poncho. Temps will climb to the upper 40's - low 60's depending upon elevation and only settle into the low - mid 50's overnight due to cloudy skies and high humidity levels.
Saturday and Sunday are not a washout but they do not look ideal for those with outdoor plans. We expect scattered showers to breakout Saturday afternoon and ramp up to widespread coverage overnight into Sunday. Heavy rain is possible closer to sunrise as the front crosses the region, with coverage scaling back to scattered showers around midday. Saturday morning into Sunday evening will bring us anywhere from 0.75 - 1.5" of rain, with the highest amounts along the SC state line due to upslope flow ahead of the incoming front. Temps will warm to the mid 50's - upper 60's on Saturday, pushing to the upper 50's - low 70's Sunday, with overnight lows in the 50's both nights.
Monday and Tuesday look better off than Saturday and Sunday as some sunshine may sneak into the picture, but spotty showers are still expected as a moist southerly flow across the region continues. Temps hold to the mid 50's - upper 60's both days, with Monday a degree or two warmer than Tuesday.
Widespread showers are expected once again either Wednesday or Thursday due to a second cold front pushing across the Southeast. We do not have all the details as the models continue to work out the kinks, but the chance is high for a wet Halloween night. We'll circle back Sunday afternoon with a more detailed look at the Halloween forecast and the following intrusion of cold air arriving after the cold front.