Following an unsettled first weekend of May, the pattern across western North Carolina will begin to shift early next week. A persistent upper-level low pressure system over the eastern U.S. will finally start to pull away from the Tennessee Valley to the Ohio Valley by late Monday, ending the period of unstable, and unsettled weather that will have brought multiple rounds of storms to the area. In its wake, a drier and more stable pattern builds in through midweek before we potentially turn more unsettled again toward next weekend.
Sunday Night – Tuesday: Clearing Out and Remaining Seasonable
As the cut-off upper low over the eastern U.S. lifts northeast, the atmosphere begins to stabilize. Expect showers and storms to taper off Sunday evening, with skies clearing overnight into Monday.
Highs Monday & Tuesday: Upper 60s to low 70s in the foothills; cooler in the higher elevations. Lows: Crisp mornings with temps in the 40s and 50s. Skies: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy. Humidity: Lower, making for a comfortable, springlike feel.
This is likely to be the nicest stretch of the week — ideal for outdoor activities and storm cleanup.
Wednesday: Gradual Warming
With the upper low finally gone and high pressure settling in over the Southeast, temperatures begin a slow rebound.
Highs: Mid to upper 70s in the foothills, around 70 in the mountains. Lows: Generally in the 50s. Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, with only a slight chance of an isolated afternoon shower in the higher terrain.
Winds will begin to turn southerly, signaling the return of slightly more moisture by Thursday.
Thursday – Friday: Increasing Clouds, Small Rain Chances
As high pressure shifts offshore, low-level moisture slowly increases. While no major storm system is expected, subtle disturbances may work their way into the region late in the week, bringing back the chance for spotty afternoon showers or a weak storm.
Thursday: Warmer and more humid, with a mix of sun and clouds. Isolated showers possible. Friday: More clouds and perhaps slightly cooler, with a better chance of scattered rain.
No widespread rain or organized severe threat is expected, but pop-up showers are typical for May as warmth and humidity rise.
Next Weekend Outlook
The pattern remains somewhat uncertain, but there’s potential for a backdoor front or weak trough to drift into the region by next weekend. This could bring another period of clouds, scattered showers, and slightly cooler temperatures. However, confidence is still low at this range.
Final Thoughts
The cut-off upper low driving this weekend’s stormy weather lifts out by Monday. A pleasant early week follows, with sunshine and springlike temperatures. Rain chances return late week, but remain low and scattered. The weekend may turn more unsettled again depending on how patterns evolve.