Terrific Thursday Turns Frenetic Friday
Wind, hail, and tornadoes are all on the table, especially southeast of I-85, on Friday.
Our Thursday is off to a chilly start but will quickly warm into above-normal territory this afternoon in the 40s and upper 50s across the area, thanks to abundant sunshine and southwesterly winds. Another cold night is on the way as most communities hover around freezing in the Piedmont and Foothills, while the High Country dips into the 20s. Patchy fog may be an issue early Friday morning, so take it easy for your final commute of the workweek. Unfortunately, fog will only be a minor issue compared to what’s to come.
Another powerful storm system sweeps through the central and eastern portions of the country on Friday. Level 2 and Level 3 risks for severe weather have been posted along I-85 and toward the south and east. While widespread flooding rains won’t be as big of an issue this time around, damaging winds, significant hail, and a few tornadoes are all on the table Friday afternoon and evening. Unlike Tuesday’s messy system, this one appears a bit more organized, meaning discrete rotating thunderstorms – known as supercells – may develop later in the day. This will keep the severe threat more localized, but also more focused. Rainfall totals will largely end up at around an inch or less across our area, with locally higher amounts approaching 2″. Cold and dry air filter in by the weekend, setting us up for what could be a wintry week beyond.
Today: Comfy sunshine. High: 58Β°. Wind: SE 5-15.
Tonight: Another cold night. Patchy fog late. Low: 34Β°. Wind: Light.
Friday: Showers and storms. A few may be severe. High: 60Β°. Wind: SE 10-20. Gusts: 25+
Friday Night: Storms early, then clearing. Windy. Low: 36Β°. Wind: SW 15-25. Gusts: 30+
Saturday: Sunshine returns. Brisk and breezy. High: 47Β°. Wind: SW 15-25. Gusts: 30+
