Sunny Saturday - Wednesday; Cold Sun AM
Good morning folks! It has been a soggy end to the week and rainfall totals coming in are running roughly 1 - 2" higher than predicted, with the highest totals well above the 5" we forecasted on Tuesday. As of Friday morning (9am), the highest total since Wednesday morning is out of Rosman with 8.42", followed by Lake Toxaway in second place with 6.93". There are a few other sites that have surpassed the six inch mark, including Otto and Newfound Gap, while the remainder of SW NC is reporting totals in the 2.75 - 5" range. Showers end this morning but it will take till later in the day to see clearing skies as the front takes it sweet time marching east, fully exiting our region around sunset. The last little bit of rain falling this morning should push Lake Toxaway past 7", although Rosman may not hit 9".
High pressure slides into the region over the course of the day on Saturday, setting up a pleasant weekend with no chance for rain or snow, only sunshine. A low pressure system spins off the NC coast Sunday, coupled with an upper level trough and they both do their best to throw moisture toward our region, but only a few clouds are likely to pass overhead, with more sunshine than cloud cover throughout the day. Another round of high pressure slides into the region Monday and this should stick around for most of the week, setting up a pleasant and dry work and school week, with temps bouncing back and forth between slightly below and slightly above normal. Snowmaking conditions occur each night across the higher elevations, so even though natural snow is not in the forecast we can still expect great conditions at Cat and Sapphire Valley. All in all, a welcomed respite from the 2.5 day rain event, coupled with a normal temperature setup as we move toward the middle of February.
Non weather post: Don't forget, WCU Baseball kicks off the season at home on February 18th. 14 more days!
This weekend will be a pleasant one with sunny skies overhead both days, although some high clouds may spill into the region later in the day on Sunday. Temps Saturday only warm to the low 30's - mid 40's depending upon elevation, which is roughly 2 - 4 degrees below normal for early February, however overnight lows will feature a temperature inversion. The valleys dip into the upper teens - low 20's under clear skies (calm winds), while the ridgelines hold to the upper 20's - low 30's. Temps Sunday warm to the upper 30's - low 50's which is a degree or two above normal, so all in all it'll be a nice balance this weekend, with overnight lows settling into the low - upper 20's Sunday night.
Monday through Wednesday will maintain sunny skies overhead and temps gradually warm from the mid 30's - upper 40's (normal) on Monday to the low 40's - mid 50's by Wednesday. It may feel warm enough to bust out some sandals or perhaps shorts later in the day, with some valley towns making a run into the upper 50's! Overnight lows settle continue to settle into the low - upper 20's each night.
Fair weather should continue into late next week, but we'll stop here and circle back on Sunday with a better look at the Thursday and Friday timeframe. ENJOY!