Can You Say "Blowtorch?!"

Today is a typical Appalachian mid-April day...temperatures in the middle to upper 60's and lower 70's. Tomorrow will dip a degree or two below normal. We should rebound nicely by Friday, however.

This weekend, on the other hand, will be more like middle and late May. Temperatures could reach into the upper 70's by Sunday. Things may cool a bit on Monday, but then another spurt of warmth will occur. Readings in the 80's are possible by Wednesday!

Tonight, a few rain showers are possible. Tomorrow, an upper low will move into the area. The low, along with warm temperatures and dew points into the 50's, will cause thunderstorms to pop. Keep in mind, "pop-up" thunderstorms may move extremely slow...or not at all...and cause flash flooding. A few storms could be severe.

Friday will be dry, with clouds and sun. Things will warm back up into the mid- to upper-60's.

Saturday and Sunday will be the beginning of the warm-up. For the TRI and ASH, Saturday should to be in the 70F-74F range, and Sunday in the 74F-78F range. The mountains will generally run a few degrees behind, as normal. The weekend will be beautiful, with partly cloudy skies, and virtually no chance of precipitation.

Looking long-range, next week's temperatures will skyrocket after Monday's cool-down. A weak low will move in and bring showers and thunderstorms with it. This will keep temperatures a few degrees cooler, say, in the upper-60's and low-70's generally. The low moves out, and Tuesday goes back to the warm-up. This period of above-average temperatures appears as if it will end Thursday, as an approaching front brings clouds and scattered showers ahead of the front itself. While still above-average, it will be a bit cooler than Wednesday's possible 80's.

4/18/07-5:20 PM