Windy and warmer Wednesday

• Windy and Warmer Wednesday
• Increased Fire Danger
• Soaking Rain Friday
• Dry and Cooler Weekend

A strong low pressure system over the Great Lakes is creating a tightening pressure gradient as high pressure sits over the south. This will drive strong northwest gusts 50+ mph across the high country and foothills today with gusts winds 25-35 mph possible for the Piedmont. Gusty winds with dropping relative humidity levels down to 20-30% will quickly dry out vegetation and lead to an increased fire danger. Outdoor burning is highly discouraged today. Highs will climb into the mid 60s with winds dying down later this evening as the low moves out.

Thursday will be more calm with temperatures reaching the low 60s as clouds build in ahead of a warm front. A cut off low over the Plains will strengthen as it moves east pulling in deep Gulf moisture into the Carolinas Friday. Light scattered showers will become more steady with a good soaking rain in the forecast Friday afternoon. Rainfall totals will be highest fo the mountains and foothills with .5-1″ of rainfall likely for the area. Instability still remains low, but some gusty winds could be possible later in the day.

Rain clears by Saturday morning as the system moves off the coast. Winds will transition out of the northwest ushering in drier and cooler air with highs still reaching the low 60s Saturday afternoon. A weak wedge will build in Sunday leading to a drop in temps with highs back in the 50s. Zonal flow will lead to another warm up into the mid to upper 60s early next week.