Forecast Last Updated at Friday, September 30, 2016 at 4:59PM

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An upper-level low in the Ohio Valley put on an impressive show here Thursday with isolated heavy rain (for NC, especially in the counties bordering VA), lightning, and hail. That potent weather feature drifted slowly north in Indiana Friday. As a result, our weather improved drastically, paving the way for a really lovely weekend. Nighttime lows will be noticeably cooler but only down to seasonal averages.

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Friday Hi: 65 Lo: 43 Clear; Cooler; South wind becoming light

Saturday Hi: 68 Lo: 44 Sunshine; Pleasant; South wind 5-10 mph

Sunday Hi: 69 Lo: 47 Clear; Beautiful first Oct. weekend; Light SW wind

Monday Hi: 69 Lo: 48 Few clouds; Pleasant

Tuesday Hi: 70 Lo: 54 Becoming mostly cloudy; Cannot rule out patchy light rain or drizzle

Further Out

Wednesday - Mostly cloudy; Maybe some Blue Ridge fog; High in the upper 60s; Low in the lower 50s
Thursday - Scattered clouds; Pleasant; High in the mid 60s; Low in the upper 40s

Forecast Discussion

Thursday lived up to its billing... An upper-level low centered in the Ohio Valley sparked storms, hail, and isolated heavy rain especially in extreme NW NC and points north. The cool air aloft produced dynamic lift in the atmosphere--a spring-like event in many ways.

The upper-level low that gave us unsettled weather Thursday has moved north into Indiana today. As it moved away from us, we enjoyed a dry, more stable air this afternoon. Skies will be clear tonight and temperatures will be cooler and more fall-like.

Saturday through Monday brings beautiful weather. About as good as it gets in October thanks to high pressure centered in the middle of the U. S. shifting east.

Tuesday and Wednesday now look slightly more complicated. High pressure will be centered in the Northeast and wedging south in the Southern Appalachians. The wedge, combined with a moist easterly flow around Matthew (see below), will increase clouds and could produce patchy drizzle with fog, especially along the east side of the Appalachians.

Thursday looks a little brighter as the moist, easterly flow breaks down.

Hurricane Matthew continues westward through the central Caribbean. It is strengthening into the most potent Atlantic storm in Western Atlantic so far this season. Matthew turns north over the weekend, impacting a Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica. The Bahamas will be next in line (Tuesday). It's too early to tell if the Carolina Coast will have significant effects.

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