Sunny start to workweek, cold snap lurks ahead
The coldest air we've seen so far this year crashes into the Carolinas by the end of the week.
We’re waking up to the coldest morning we’ve seen in 2026 thus far; while warmer air swells into the Carolinas through Wednesday, even colder air lurks at the end of the week. Temperatures will struggle to clear the 30s and 40s across the board this Monday afternoon despite plentiful sunshine and southwesterly winds. The mercury takes a meaningful jump on Tuesday and Wednesday as highs approach 60Β° around the Metro. Rain chances will be few and far between through midweek, thanks to a powerful ridge of high pressure settling in over the Eastern Seaboard.
Big changes arrive by the back half of the week. A sharp, but largely dry cold front slices into the Carolinas overnight Wednesday into Thursday, bringing some mountain snow and much colder air in its wake. Lows will bottom out in the teens, 20s, and 30s Thursday morning as highs likely fail to get out of the 20s and 30s across the WCCB Charlotte viewing area. While most of the limited moisture remains up in the High Country, a few snow flurries could find their way into the lower elevations Thursday afternoon and evening.
Even colder air settles in by Friday morning as temperatures dive near 20Β° in the Queen City. Medium-range models suggest a storm system may develop by the end of the weekend; with cold air likely already in place, winter-weather-lovers will want to watch Saturday and Sunday carefully. We’ll keep you weather-wise as the forecast becomes clearer.
Monday: Chilly sunshine. High: 52Β°. Wind: SW 5-10.
Monday Night: Clear and cold. Low: 29Β°. Wind: SW 5-10.
Tuesday: Sunshine continues. Noticeably warmer. High: 60Β°. Wind: SW 5-15.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear early with clouds building late. Low: 39Β°. Wind: SW 5-15.
Wednesday: Partly-to-mostly cloudy. Remaining mild. High: 58Β°. Wind: SW 5-15. Gusts: 20+
