Western North Carolina Foothills, Mountains, and Western Piedmont
KEY MESSAGES
- Hot, dry, and breezy today with temperatures pushing near records. A cold front brings light rain tonight into Sunday, but it will not provide meaningful drought relief.
- Cooler weather early next week with continued fire danger and a chance of frost in the mountains.
- Heat and dry conditions return late next week, increasing fire risk again.
TODAY (SATURDAY): HOT, BREEZY, AND DRY
We’re seeing another summer-like day across the foothills and Piedmont. Afternoon highs will climb into the upper 80s to near 90 degrees east of the mountains. Southwest winds will pick up through the day, adding a breeze but also helping fires spread if one starts.
Humidity will be a little higher than yesterday, but it’s still low enough to be a concern. With dry leaves, brush, and ongoing drought conditions, fires can get out of control quickly.
TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY: COLD FRONT WITH LIGHT RAIN
A cold front moves through late tonight into early Sunday morning. This will bring scattered showers, but rainfall will be light.
Across the foothills and Piedmont, most areas will only see a few hundredths of an inch. The mountains will do a little better, generally up to a quarter inch, with some higher spots near the Tennessee border possibly seeing a bit more.
This is not a soaking rain. It may briefly dampen the ground, but it will not fix the dry conditions we’re dealing with.
SUNDAY: COOLER AND WINDY BUT STILL A FIRE RISK
Behind the front, temperatures will cool down and winds will shift out of the northwest. Gusty conditions are likely, especially along the Blue Ridge where 50mph gusts are likely.
Humidity will drop again, falling below 25 percent in many foothill and piedmont locations. Even though it will feel cooler, the air will be dry and the ground will still be dry. That means fire danger sticks around.
EARLY NEXT WEEK (MONDAY–TUESDAY): COOL NIGHTS, DRY DAYS
We settle into a cooler and dry pattern to start the week. Daytime temperatures will be near or slightly below normal, but nights will turn noticeably cooler.
There is a chance for patchy frost in the mountains Sunday night, with a better chance Monday night, especially in sheltered valleys. If you have sensitive plants in higher elevations, you’ll want to take precautions.
Afternoon humidity will stay low, dropping below 25 percent again Monday and Tuesday. Winds won’t be as strong as the weekend, but conditions will still support fire spread.
LATE NEXT WEEK: HEAT RETURNS, DROUGHT WORSENS
By the middle and end of next week, warmer air builds back in. Temperatures will climb above normal again, likely pushing back into the upper 80s by Thursday and Friday.
Rain chances stay very low, and the air remains dry. This will continue to dry out vegetation and increase fire danger once again.
BOTTOM LINE FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
We get a brief break from the heat and a little rain, but it’s not enough to make a real difference. Fire danger remains a significant concern through the weekend and into next week. Then we turn hotter and drier again, which will make things worse.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Avoid outdoor burning and be cautious with anything that could create sparks. Federal, State, and local burn bans remain in place. Follow restrictions and stay weather aware. If you live in the mountains, be ready to protect plants from possible frost early next week. Download our free Foothills Weather App from your App Store.
Foothills Weather Network will continue to keep you updated with straightforward, local forecasts you can trust.