Sunny Sunday through Wednesday

Good morning folks! Yesterday morning was a fun one, chasing snow above 5000' across southern Haywood County, where 1.5" collected at Beech Gap (hwy 215 entrance to the Parkway near Devil's Courthouse). The snow line was roughly 3500' and even the Plateau got in on the action with a dusting to a half inch reported across the Highlands - Cashiers - Lake Toxaway area above 4200'. Most of the region however dealt with the most unpopular weather condition known to humankind, the dreaded 34 - 38°F cold rain. SW NC picked up on average 0.15" of rain regionwide, while the Plateau picked up a quarter of an inch and Bear Creek Lake one the day at 0.28".

We'll see sunshine taking over as the day moves along (Friday) and we are eyeing the low pressure off the FL coast as it migrates over southern GA and off the eastern seaboard, not for rain, but how far the cloud shield will extend westward. For now we are leaning toward more sun than clouds Saturday and don't be surprised to see a few high, thin clouds streaming overhead before noon, but it should be a pleasant fall day across SW NC to kick off the weekend. Sunshine dominates the forecast Sunday into Wednesday as high pressure settles overhead, with rain chances returning Thursday, although coverage should be isolated and intensities light. Temps all the while will go from the low 40's - mid 50's today (Friday), to the low 60's Sunday and jump up a notch to the low 70's Monday and Tuesday; a degree or two cooler on Wednesday. Overnight lows will settle into the upper 20's - mid 30's tonight into Monday morning, but gradually warm to the upper 30's - low 40's starting Monday night, extending into Thursday morning. The coldest temps of the season occurred this morning (11/5) with a low of 18°F atop Mt Mitchell and Mt LeConte, previous was 25°F set back in late October.

Timeline starts on Saturday with ample sunshine across the region and temps will hold to the low - mid 40's above 5000', while the valleys warm to the mid - upper 50's. A few cirrus clouds are likely to traverse the region before midday but coverage should wane as we enter the afternoon hours, as the low pressure system begins to lift further out to sea. Overnight lows settle into the mid - upper 20's for the valleys, while the ridgelines hold to the low 30's as a slight temperature inversion develops overnight.

Sunday through the middle of next week will be the same, boring weather, although sunny skies during the fall months is never a bad thing and rain-wise we are doing well with no drought in sight. Temps manage to push into the low - mid 60's Sunday afternoon across the valleys and as upper level ridging moves overhead Monday into Tuesday, temps will respond and climb to the low 70's both afternoons. Normal high temps for early - mid November across the valleys are in the low - mid 60's depending upon location, so this is not too much above average and near perfect weather to shut off the thermostat during the day. Overnight lows dip into the upper 20's - mid 30's once last time Sunday night under clear skies, but level up to the upper 30's - mid 40's beginning Monday night.

We'll mention slight rain chances for Thursday but so far it doesn't look to be a washout or a damp, raw type day so keep your outdoor plans. We'll circle back on Sunday, closer to midday, with a new discussion. ENJOY!