Forecast Last Updated at Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 6:47PM

Earl For The East, Best In The West

Earl is thankfully losing strength as it brings in rain bands and strong winds to the coast overnight. What a difference a few hours west makes as we enjoy another clear and comfortable night. Friday, a weak front will move through late bringing just the slight chance of a shower or thundershower late. As Earl moves into Canada Saturday, much cooler air will surge into the Southeast U. S. giving us a much cooler weekend with deep blue skies--a taste of Fall. I had to take a golfball from Saturday because of a breezy NW wind. Dry weather continues next week with a gradual warm-up.

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Thursday Hi: 70 Lo: 59 Clear; Light & variable wind

Friday Hi: 73 Lo: 51 Scattered PM clouds; Slight chance for a late-afternoon or early evening shower or t-shower; Still warm during the afternoon; NW wind 5-15 mph increasing to 10-20 mph at night & gusty

Saturday Hi: 61 Lo: 45 Deep blue skies with a few clouds; A noticeably cooler fall preview; NW wind 10-20 mph & gusty during the daytime

Sunday Hi: 62 Lo: 45 Bright sunshine; Great day; Cool night

Monday Hi: 68 Lo: 53 Generally sunny for Labor Day; Fantastic weather to be outside

Further Out

Tuesday - Sunny; Warmer; High near 70 degrees; Low in the upper 50s
Wednesday - Continued dry, pleasant; High in the lower 70s; Low in the upper 50s

Forecast Discussion

Hurricane Earl is making his move and fortunately the worst of his wind and wave energy remains at sea. Dry air is finally taking its toll on the maximum sustained winds as they continue to lose some of their previously-Category 4 punch. Significant ocean overwash and soundside flooding along the Outer Banks will be the biggest impacts into Friday morning. The good news (other than the fact that the core of the storm will make a brushing pass along the coast) is that Earl is a fast mover--it will be near Cape Cod Friday night and over Nova Scotia Saturday.

Our weather forecast is still as easy as it can be. High pressure remains in control today--clear skies and warm. A front will move through late Friday; however, Earl is hogging all the moisture. We have the slight chance of a late-day or early evening shower or thundershower Friday favoring the west side of the Appalachians. Cooler air will surge southward in Earl's wake giving us a much cooler weekend--beautiful with temperatures near or just below normal. High pressure will be in control next week dry weather and gradually warmer temperatures.

Elsewhere in the tropical Atlantic... Fiona will remain no more than a tropical storm moving north and passing near Bermuda Friday night. Gaston formed yesterday in the Central Atlantic but has been downgraded to a depression for now should gradually strengthen as it moves WNW toward the northeastern Caribbean--possibly next week's track focus. Yet another tropical wave in the Cape Verde Parade moved off the African coast yesterday.

Sugar Mountain Resort Activities

Final weekend for scenic summer lift rides. Don't forget lift rides are also available on Monday, September 6th at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort.

Hiking & biking trails, summer lift rides, & the Oktoberfest at Sugar Mountain Resort.

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