ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Western North Carolina will see one final day of mild temperatures Wednesday before a sharp blast of Arctic air sweeps into the region, bringing plunging temperatures, powerful winds and the risk of isolated power outages through Thanksgiving, according to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg.
Forecasters say a significant cool-down will begin Wednesday night and continue into the weekend. The coldest air is expected to arrive by Thanksgiving, sending temperatures tumbling more than 30 degrees in many areas.
While no snow is expected with this system, wind chills could fall into the teens by early Friday morning.
A Wind Advisory is in effect from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 11 a.m. Thursday for Avery County and elevations above 3,500 feet in Mitchell and Yancey counties. The Weather Service warns of northwest winds between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts up to 55 mph at higher elevations. The strong winds may topple tree limbs and could lead to isolated power outages, forecasters said.
Drivers of high-profile vehicles are urged to use caution, and residents should secure outdoor objects ahead of the gusty conditions.
Behind the front, the region will see a dry and increasingly cold air mass. Relative humidity is expected to drop below 25 percent in many locations, raising concerns about increased fire danger on Friday. While the lowest humidity and strongest winds are not expected to align perfectly, officials say conditions may still warrant coordination with land managers.
Temperatures will fall well below seasonal norms. Highs on Thanksgiving Day will run 5 to 10 degrees below average, dropping to 10 to 15 degrees below normal Friday and Saturday. Overnight lows will dip to around 10 degrees below normal Thursday night, falling even further Friday night.
Asheville forecast
- Wednesday: Sunny, high near 65. Northwest wind 9-14 mph, gusts up to 25 mph.
- Wednesday night: Increasing clouds, low around 29. Gusts up to 37 mph.
- Thanksgiving Day: Becoming sunny, high near 44. Northwest gusts up to 37 mph.
- Thursday night: Mostly clear, low around 22.
- Friday: Sunny and colder, high near 39.
- Friday night: Mostly clear, low around 19.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, high near 45.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain, high near 48.
The Weather Service says conditions will begin to moderate over the weekend, though another round of rain is possible Sunday.
