Dry start to the weekend with rain moving in next week

Happy Friday! Frost concerns remain tonight, with Frost Advisories in effect from late tonight through 9 am Saturday.  Temperatures in the norther foothills and northwest Piedmont will drop close to the freezing mark, so it’s a good idea to protect any sensitive plants. Even though the day will start off cold, Saturday will turn out to be the nicest day of the weekend, with plenty of sunshine and afternoon highs slightly below average.

Both Saturday and Sunday will keep that cool fall feel, with highs staying in the 60s. Saturday will be the better day to get outside, with plenty of sunshine mixing in with a few clouds and afternoon highs reaching the upper 60s. The air will feel crisp and comfortable and perfect for any outdoor plans, farmers markets, or fall festivals. Sunday will bring a noticeable change as clouds increase through the day. Temperatures will be cooler, topping out in the low to mid-60s, under overcast skies. Each morning this weekend will start off chilly, with lows in the lower 40s, so a light jacket will be needed early on.

The weather pattern begins to shift late Sunday night as the next storm system moves in. This will bring our first real chance for rain in weeks and it will be a multi-day weather event. Rain will become widespread on Monday, likely impacting both the morning and evening commute. Temperatures will struggle to warm, holding in the mid-50s for most of the day. Between Sunday night and early Tuesday morning, rainfall totals could range from 2 to 3 inches, which may lead to localized flooding in low-lying or poor-drainage areas.

Tuesday and Wednesday will still feature some lingering moisture, but the rain will be more on-and-off compared to Monday’s steady downpours. Highs will remain on the cool side, in the mid to upper 50s, and skies will stay mostly cloudy. There is a chance for a few breaks of sunshine later Tuesday and into Wednesday afternoon as the system begins to move out.

By Thursday, a push of colder air will arrive behind the front. The mountains could see a few early morning flurries before sunshine returns across much of the region by afternoon. It’ll be a breezy and noticeably colder day, with highs staying below normal. The good news is that Thursday looks to stay dry, but the chill will linger just in time for Halloween.