Forecast Last Updated at Friday, September 30, 2016 at 6:53AM

Exiting Showers

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 drifts slowly north in Indiana today. Friday is nothing like Thursday, but a stray shower cannot be ruled out through early afternoon (again, especially in extreme NW NC). After that, it's clearing skies and a glorious weekend. Nighttime lows will be noticeably cooler but only down to seasonal averages.

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Friday Hi: 56 Lo: 41 Mostly cloudy; Stray showers possible through early-afternoon in Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany Counties; Afternoon clearing; South wind 5-15 mph, then light tonight

Saturday Hi: 59 Lo: 42 Sunshine; Pleasant; South wind 5-10 mph

Sunday Hi: 60 Lo: 45 Clear; Beautiful first Oct. weekend; Light SW wind

Monday Hi: 60 Lo: 46 Few clouds; Pleasant

Tuesday Hi: 66 Lo: 50 Becoming mostly cloudy; Cannot rule out patchy light rain or drizzle

Further Out

Wednesday - Mostly cloudy; Maybe some Blue Ridge fog; High in the mid 60s; Low in the upper 40s
Thursday - Scattered clouds; Pleasant; High in the mid 50s; Low in the mid 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 is slowly moving north into Indiana today. As it moves away from us, expect morning clouds and a stray shower or two cannot be ruled out through early afternoon, especially in extreme NW NC (Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany Counties). Then drier, stable air arrives from the southwest wrapping around the low.

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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