Strong storms possible Sunday morning, watching next week’s wintry potential
Chances for wintry weather are ticking upward this coming Wednesday.
If you love 40º rainy afternoons, the last five days have been heaven for you. For those of us of more sound mind, Sunday afternoon looks fantastic – it’s just the ride between now and then will be bumpy at times. A sharp cold front slices through the Carolinas by noon, bringing a stiff line of gusty showers and storms into the WCCB Charlotte viewing area by sunrise. Wind gusts upwards of 50 mph will be the main threat, but isolated flash flooding and even a quick spin-up tornado can’t be ruled out. Keep phones charged overnight in case warnings should be issued.
Bluer skies return by the mid-afternoon Sunday as highs roll into the mid-to-lower 60s across the Piedmont before dropping like a rock into Monday morning. Lows will largely bottom out in the 20s across the board as northwesterly flow brings 1-3″ of snow to our mountain communities. We’ll see plenty of sunshine for our Presidents’ Day Monday, although temperatures will struggle to clear the 40s in the Piedmont and Foothills. Highs creep slightly higher into Tuesday, but big changes arrive by midweek.
Chances for wintry weather are trending upward as we move into Wednesday, and it’s beginning to look like a classic Carolina wedge setup. Cold air will filter in from the northeast overnight Tuesday into Wednesday as lows dip near freezing. As moisture arrives from the southwest, we’ll need to watch for a wintry mix throughout Wednesday – snow, sleet, and freezing rain are all on the table right now, especially for those along I-85 and northward. Significant icing is possible south of I-40, but it’s too early for specifics. Cold air air flushes into the Carolinas by Wednesday night, setting us up with a frigid end to the week ahead.
Tonight: Overcast with scattered showers late. Low: 48°. Wind: S 5-15. Gusts: 20+
Sunday: AM showers and storms. Some may be severe. PM clearing. High: 65°. Wind: SW 15-25. Gusts: 40+
Sunday Night: Clear. Brisk. Low: 30°. Wind: NW 5-15. Gusts 20+
Presidents’ Day: Cool sunshine. High: 50°. NW 5-10.
