Windy Tuesday; Showers Return Thursday
Good morning folks! Rainfall totals from Sunday evening into this morning were about half of what we forecasted, with most of the region picking up anywhere from 0.50 - 0.75", while the highest amount was out of Beaver Creek near Valley River at 1.06". Sunshine will filter into the region today and hang around through Wednesday late afternoon, with some high clouds passing overhead Tuesday due to a weak frontal passage. Temps will bottom out to below freezing levels Tuesday night, prompting frost across the region as high pressure moves overhead before sunrise on Wednesday. It seems the onset of rain we expected Thursday night will be moved up to Wednesday night but showers will also occur throughout the day on Thursday, winding down during the early morning hours on Friday. Temps will peak on Friday for the week and the weekend brings us another round of rain or perhaps several short lived rounds of rain, we are not entirely sure this far out in time (also because the spring season things can change very quickly).
Today we kick off another work week with sunny skies showing up before midday as NW flow ushers in a drier airmass, booting out the low pressure system that brought us rain overnight. Temps will take some time to rebound as they eventually reach the upper 40's along the ridgelines and mid - upper 60's across the valley. Keep in mind NW winds around 10 - 20mph will be present throughout the day, gusting to 35mph across the highest ridgelines. Mostly clear skies tonight allow temps to dip into the upper 30's - mid 40's depending upon elevation, with NW winds holding strong at 15mph above 4000'.
Tuesday will be a pleasant day but also a bit chilly as a weak front crosses the region with little to no moisture for our region, ushering in stronger NW winds around 15 - 25mph. Temps will climb a degree or two higher than Monday as they hit the low 50's - upper 60's and if you're above 4000', dress for the wind as gusts peak around 35 - 45mph! Sunshine will be present for most of the region, although a few clouds will develop along the TN line with an isolated shower possible over the Smokies and Great Balsams. Breezy conditions will continue overnight into Wednesday with NW winds around 10 - 20mph, gusting to 35mph as temps bottom out to the upper 20's - low 30's across the region.
Wednesday will finally bring an end to the breezy setup and sunshine will push temps into the low 70's across the valleys, setting up a perfect spring day across the region. Clouds fill in closer to sunset and showers break out overnight into Thursday, with temps settling into the mid - upper 40's.
Thursday features widespread showers and possible thunderstorms which will work to cap temps to the low 50's - mid 60's and all of this should clear out by early Friday morning, possibly before sunrise. Temps Friday will warm to the low 70's across the valley as sunshine returns and the models are showing several rounds of rain this weekend but we are not able to time the events this far out in time.
We'll stop here and circle back Wednesday, hopefully with more information on the upcoming rain this weekend.