Clear Skies and Cooler, More Rain Ahead

Today was clear, and slightly above normal in the temperature department, with temperatures topping out in the middle 50's. Winds have been relatively light. Enjoy this? Tomorrow will be much of the same. Clear skies will lead to temperatures warming into the lower 60's for some. Most will at least crack the middle 50's.

A major storm system taking shape in the west will bring heavy rain for all of the NC/TN/VA area. 1+" of rain is likely, along with thunderstorms, some strong to severe. It will need to be monitored carefully over the next 36 hrs. There will be more on this tomorrow, when it is a little more clear what will take place. Your forecast is below.

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VALLEY LOCALES, INCLUDING TRI-CITIES AND ASHEVILLE:

TONIGHT
Mostly clear. Low 31F. Winds light and variable.

WEDNESDAY
Mostly sunny. Warmer. High 62F. Winds light and variable.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy early. Clouds moving in overnight. Low 41F. Winds light and variable.

THURSDAY
Cloudy. Rain developing in the afternoon. The rain could be heavy at times. High 60F. Winds from the SE at 5-10 MPH, switching to the SSE at 15-25 MPH. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a half inch.



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

TONIGHT
Mostly clear. Low 29F; As low as 26F higher up. Winds light and variable.

WEDNESDAY
Mostly sunny. Warmer. High 60F. Winds light and variable.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy early. Clouds moving in overnight. Low 39F; As low as 35F higher up. Winds light and variable.

THURSDAY
Cloudy. Rain developing in the afternoon, with thunder possible late. The rain could be heavy at times. Windy late. High 57F. Winds from the SE at 5-10 MPH, switching to the SSE at 15-25 MPH, gusting over 30 MPH. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a half inch.

LATE-WORKWEEK TO EARLY WEEKEND THOUGHTS:
Thursday night should feature more rain and thunderstorms. Total rainfall may approach 1.5". Showers may linger into Friday morning, but things should clear out by the afternoon. Cooler weather will set in for a few days. Snow showers are possible by Saturday! Will this be the last of winter? I don't think so, at least not right now. The NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation) may turn negative, which would lead to colder temperatures. This area is famous for those late-Winter/early-Spring snowstorms. They have eluded the area the past few years. This may be the year that streak is broken. Nothing is certain, but it is always good to be prepared...

2/27/07-7:44 PM