ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Western North Carolina residents should prepare for warm temperatures Friday to be followed by a cold front this weekend, with showers and thunderstorms possible through Saturday night.
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg says isolated storms are expected this afternoon and evening, with scattered to numerous showers likely on Saturday as a moist cold front moves through the region. Cooler, drier air is forecast to arrive Sunday and is expected to persist into next week.
High pressure behind the front will push the boundary east and south of our area by Sunday evening, bringing cooler and drier conditions, the NWS said. High temperatures are expected to be 4 to 6 degrees below average Sunday and 6 to 8 degrees below average Monday.
North Carolina Emergency Management warned of strong mountain storms Friday afternoon, with gusty winds possible. Residents should also be prepared for patchy fog and variable conditions across the mountains, Piedmont and Coastal Plain through the weekend.
Forecast highlights:
- Friday night: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., patchy fog after 4 a.m., partly cloudy, low around 63.
- Saturday: Showers likely with possible thunderstorms after 2 p.m., patchy morning fog, high near 84, calm winds shifting north-northwest. Chance of precipitation 70%.
- Saturday night: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers before midnight, low near 59, northwest winds around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy, gradually clearing to sunny, high near 75, 20% chance of afternoon showers, north-northwest winds 7–9 mph.
- Sunday night: Mostly clear, low around 49, winds becoming calm.