Windy, Rain on the Way

As promised, the wind has kicked up, causing some tree limbs to fall. I have recorded a gust of 36.4 MPH. The windiest of conditions have yet to occur. Winds will increase through the night.

The rain and storms are drawing closer. Again, I do not believe we will see anything severe. The NWS issued a statement earlier regarding strong storms and enhanced wind inside these storms, so they must feel there is a threat for stronger storms. Storms or not, rain and wind are the big problem overnight and into tomorrow.

The system should exit during the early afternoon hours. Leftover showers will continue into the night. With temperatures dipping into the low 30's, snow mixing in with the rain is possible. No accumulation is expected. Your forecast is below...

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VALLEY LOCALES, INCLUDING TRI-CITIES AND ASHEVILLE:

TONIGHT
Cloudy and windy. Showers early should become a steady rain toward the morning hours. A thunderstorm is possible. Windy. Low 46F. Winds from the SE at 15-25 MPH, gusting over 30 MPH at times. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near 1/4".

SUNDAY
Cloudy. Rain in the morning will give way to showers in the afternoon. A thunderstorm or two is possible. Windy. High 55F. Winds from the SE at 15-25 MPH, gusting over 30 MPH at times. Chance of rain near 100%. Rainfall near 1/2".

SUNDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy. Lingering rain showers early, possibly mixing with snow late. Low 36F. Winds SW at 10-15 MPH. Chance of precipitation 30%. No snow accumulation expected.



FOOTHILLS AND MOUNTAINOUS LOCALES, INCLUDING ERWIN, FLAG POND, BOONE, MOUNTAIN CITY, AND TRADE:

TONIGHT
Cloudy and windy. Showers early should become a steady rain toward the morning hours. A thunderstorm is possible. Windy. Low 43F; 37F higher up. Winds from the SE at 25-45 MPH, gusting over 60 MPH at times. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near 1/4".

SUNDAY
Cloudy. Rain in the morning will give way to showers in the afternoon. A thunderstorm or two is possible. Windy. High 52F. Winds from the SE at 25-35 MPH, gusting over 45 MPH at times. Chance of rain near 100%. Rainfall near 1/2".

SUNDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy. Lingering rain showers early, mixing with snow late. Low 34F; possibly down to 30F higher up. Winds SW at 15-20 MPH. Chance of precipitation 30%. Little snow accumulation possible in the highest terrain.

EARLY TO MID-WORKWEEK THOUGHTS:
Monday will be slightly cooler than this past weekend. Monday night into Tuesday may be interesting. Some modeling (Namely the NGM and NAM) bring a small feature south through our area late monday into Tuesday. Temperatures will be near or below freezing for most. Nothing is certain right now, but this leaves the opportunity for snow showers late Monday into Tuesday. Accumulation, if any, looks light. Tuesday will be much cooler, perhaps not getting out of the 30's in some locations. Wednesday will be back up above 50F.

2/25/07-1:57 AM