Summer swells back into Carolinas, Tropical Storm Gabrielle swirls in Atlantic
A stray storm or two could roll through our area this weekend, but most locations remain dry through the next five days.
Happy Friday Eve! Sunny skies will lead to toasty highs this Thursday afternoon as temperatures soar into the mid-to-upper 80s across the Piedmont and Foothills. A weak ridge of high pressure sets up over much of the Southeast over the next few days, keeping the majority of rain chances at bay as temperatures climb even higher into the weekend. The Queen City hasn’t topped out in the 90s since August 18th – exactly one month ago – but that streak is in jeopardy as we roll into Friday and Saturday. Short-range models are picking up on a few stray storm chances this weekend, but most locations remain dry through the next five days. A mainly dry cold front will sneak its way into the WCCB Charlotte viewing area from the north by Sunday evening, leading to cooler temperatures near 80° around the Metro in time for the first day of fall on Monday.
Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed roughly 1,000 miles east of the Caribbean late Wednesday morning, becoming the first named storm in the Atlantic Basin in nearly three weeks. Gabrielle will continue to strengthen as it moves northeast, likely attaining hurricane strength by the end of the weekend. If Gabrielle becomes a hurricane, it’ll only be the second Atlantic storm so far this year to do so. Models continue to lead Gabrielle away from the U.S. mainland as it curves north – and eventually, northeast – early next week, but rough surf and strong rip currents could cause issues for offseason beachgoers along the East Coast.
Today: Warm sunshine. High: 87°. Wind: Light.
Tonight: Mostly clear. Milder. Low: 65°. Wind: Light.
Friday: Sunny skies. Toasty highs. High: 90°. Wind: Light.
Friday Night: Another nice night. Low: 65°. Wind: Light.
Saturday: Hot sunshine continues. High: 88°. Wind: NE 5-10.
