Soggy Pattern Continues; Ridgeline SNOW Saturday

We picked up a quarter of an inch of rain across most of SW NC, however locations closer to the GA line saw totals surpass a half inch, with Davy Mtn reporting 0.87". We'll pick up another 1 - 2.5" of rain Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday late morning and third round of rain is on the horizon, arriving Friday afternoon, ending Saturday mid morning. This third round brings 0.5 - 1.25" of rain but the exciting part will be snow falling across the higher elevations late Friday night, holding strong most of the day Saturday in the usual NW Flow snow locations. In the valleys we'll go from the upper 50's Tuesday to the upper 60's early Friday, crashing to the upper 30's on Saturday, only warming to the low - mid 50's on Sunday under sunny skies. We should return to the 60's next week so enjoy this quick hitting round of winter if that's your thing.

Lower Elevations 1800' - 3000' ​

We may miss out on the action during the winter months but the valleys are the place to be in spring. We'll enjoy a warm-ish stretch from Tuesday to Friday, with temps warming slowly to the upper 60's by Friday. Overnight lows remain above freezing through Thursday night, but drop to the upper 20's by sunrise on Saturday. The worst day of the week will likely be either Wednesday or Saturday, depending upon whether you dislike widespread rain or a raw, windy day. Sunshine returns Sunday and temps hit the mid 50's across the valleys.

Higher Elevations 3000 - 5000'

Same pattern as the valleys (two more rounds of rain Wed and Fri) but temps will be much cooler, only reaching the mid 40's Tues - Thur, peaking to the low 50's Friday below 4000'. Overnight lows return to the 30's Wed and Thur nights, crashing into the upper teens Friday night. Temps hold to the 20's above 4500' on Saturday and stiff NW winds around 10 - 20mph will remind us that winter lingers across the higher elevations.

Ridgelines + Plateau ​

Accumulating snow is likely shortly after sunrise on Saturday for elevations above 4500', closer to the TN line as this will be a NW flow snow event; sorry Plateau folks. Snow showers could extend to Yellow Mtn and Big Ridge, as well as the southern end of the Great Balsams (Black Balsam, Sams Knob, etc.). Temps around 6000' Saturday will be in the teens with wind chill values below zero and although the Parkway will likely be closed, factor in these harsh conditions if you are planning a ridgeline hike/snow outing.