Sunshine returns Friday, wet again by weekend

We’re finally seeing some clearing around the Metro this Thursday evening after a messy 48 hours. The wedge was in full effect this afternoon as most Piedmont communities were stuck in the 50s, while the Foothills enjoyed sunshine and highs in the mid-to-upper 60s. Expect a hard freeze for most in the mountains tonight as lows dip into the teens; the Piedmont and Foothills will wake up to the 20s and lower 30s Friday morning. Bright skies return across the board for our final day of the workweek, but highs will struggle to clear the 30s and 40s from the High Country to the Sandhills.

Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts on Friday – the weekend will be more reminiscent of what we saw on Tuesday and Wednesday. Another wedge setup arrives by Saturday morning with rain following closely by sunrise. Temperatures will end up in the 30s through much of the afternoon before rising overnight as the rain clears out later in the day. Some sleet and freezing rain may mix in north of I-40 at times, but impacts will be minimal outside of the mountains. Another round of moisture arrives as Sunday as a robust area of low pressure approaches from the west. Severe weather is not expected for the WCCB Charlotte viewing area right now, but we’ll want to watch for a stiff line of gusty showers and storms Sunday morning. Highs will reach near 60° Sunday afternoon as the moisture clears to the west. Presidents’ Day Monday will see more sunshine, but we’ll want to watch for another moisture-laden system’s arrival by midweek – this one could bring impactful wintry weather to the Piedmont.

Tonight: Clearing out. Cooling down. Low: 30°. Wind: N 5-10.

Friday: Cool sunshine. High: 52°. Wind: NE 5-10.

Friday Night: Clouds build. Scattered showers late. Low: 37°. Wind: Light.

Saturday: Widespread rain, especially in the morning. Overcast and chilly. High: 44°. Wind: Light.