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.

2017 Blue Ridge Parkway Calendars began shipping late last week and have been delivered to many stores across the region (with more on the way). At $13.95, you'll find no better source for great photography and information about the Blue Ridge Parkway. This year's calendar features a chronology of the history of the Blue Ridge Parkway. With bonus calendar pages for November and December 2016, you can use it soon. You're going to love 'em.

The RWC Mobile App, the only weather app with real temperature data and custom forecasts for the Southern Appalachians. You need it... Android and Apple.

Friday Hi: 62 Lo: 43 Clear; Cooler; South wind becoming light

Saturday Hi: 65 Lo: 44 Sunshine; Pleasant; South wind 5-10 mph

Sunday Hi: 66 Lo: 47 Clear; Beautiful first Oct. weekend; Light SW wind

Monday Hi: 66 Lo: 48 Few clouds; Pleasant

Tuesday Hi: 68 Lo: 52 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 near 50 degrees
Thursday - Scattered clouds; Pleasant; High in the lower 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.

Sugar Mountain Resort Activities

Have fun at Sugar's Oktoberfest, October 8 & 9, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. each day.

Winter season passes are on sale. Purchase before October 5th for preseason discounts.

Be spectacular - get married on top of Sugar Mountain.

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