Shower Chances Increase by Sunday
Good afternoon folks! We're rounding out the afternoon on Thursday as I type this discussion, so our focus will be from Friday morning into Tuesday evening. We'll enjoy another day with more sun than clouds on Friday as temps push to normal levels, with only a slight chance for an isolated pop up shower. Saturday is likely to lose the battle with Friday on which day has more sunshine as we expect high, patchy clouds to move in around midday, followed by a handful of showers and thunderstorms as we near sunset; still a fairly dry day. The trend of increasing shower chances with each passing day grows as we move into Sunday, with most of SW NC in play for shower activity, followed by region wide days of rain Monday through Wednesday of next week. Temps will not move too much Friday into Tuesday of next week, only going from the mid 80's Friday to the low 80's Sunday, holding to this level into Wednesday or Thursday. All in all, if you want to get outside and stay dry then Friday and Saturday are your best bets as region wide rainfall moves in early next week.
One notable mention is the Saharan Dust that has already begun to move inland across the US, with impacts to our region being reduced visibility, brighter sunsets and a decrease in air quality this weekend and into early next week. Sahara Dust moves into the US each and ever year, but this particular plume's size and depth hasn't been seen in over 30 years. If you're a photographer, get ready for some amazing sunsets!
Friday will be another summer classic as we enjoy mostly sunny skies throughout the day, alongside an isolated shower or thunderstorm along the ridgelines, but most of SW NC will remain dry through the day. Temps warm to the low 70's - mid 80's depending upon elevation and settle into the mid 50's - low 60's overnight into Saturday under partly cloudy skies.
Saturday offers up a sunny start but clouds will move in by midday, not enough to cool things down but enough to enjoy periods of passing shade as temps push back into the low 70's - mid 80's. Coverage increases from Friday to scattered coverage, with most of the action occurring later in the day and fizzling out by the late evening hours; overnight lows in the upper 50's - low 60's under partly - mostly cloudy skies.
Sunday through Tuesday is a good bet for rain with coverage slightly higher on Sunday compared to Saturday, however increasing from scattered to widespread Monday and Tuesday. Temps cool down a touch to the upper 60's - low 80's depending upon elevation all three days and over the three day period 0.5 - 1" is likely, translating to light - moderate shower intensities all three days.
We'll stop here and circle back on Sunday, mainly because I am getting out in the woods this weekend and will not be able to provide an update Saturday.