Forecast Last Updated at Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 4:45PM

Warm, Mostly Dry Thursday

Isolated showers and thundershowers are possible until sunset. Most of the shower activity will be in Avery and Mitchell counties. Most areas will be partly cloudy.

A tropical low is on the NC Coast (see the Discussion Section for details). It's too far away for significant influence here. Friday through Sunday have scattered to widely scattered afternoon/evening thundershowers--lots of dry hours but have a plan in case. Today and Friday are warmer than Saturday and Sunday.

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Thursday Hi: 71 Lo: 59 Partly cloudy; Isolated showers and thundershowers possible through sunset; Light East wind

Friday Hi: 73 Lo: 60 Partly to mostly cloudy; Scattered PM t-showers; Light South wind

Saturday Hi: 69 Lo: 58 Partly cloudy; Widely scattered afternoon showers and t-showers; NW wind 5-15 mph

Sunday Hi: 70 Lo: 57 Mostly cloudy PM; Widely scattered PM t-showers

Monday Hi: 68 Lo: 57 Partly cloudy; Isolated afternoon thundershowers

Further Out

Tuesday - Few clouds; Warm; High near 70 degrees; Low in the upper 50s
Wednesday - Some afternoon cloudiness; Warm; High in the mid 70s; Low near 60 degrees

Forecast Discussion

A tropical low has been moving slowly across the Southeast during the last three days. It may emerge over the Gulf Stream off the NC Coast today From there, it heads up the Mid-Atlantic Coast. If over water, it has a good chance to develop into a named tropical storm tonight or Friday. "Fay" would be the name--that's a quick start to the tropical season in spite of a Saharan dust storm two weeks ago that inhibited tropical development.

We are on the periphery of influence from that tropical low--a dry Thursday for most; however, Avery County and to the south has a better chance for an isolated afternoon thundershower. Temperatures are warmer today and Friday.

A weak disturbance moves across the Southern Appalachians late Friday into Saturday with scattered to widely scattered afternoon thundershowers.

A front from the northwest may push through Sunday night. Widely scattered afternoon and evening thundershowers result.

Drier air follows with high pressure over the Central Appalachians. I left the slight chance of an afternoon thundershower in the forecast for Monday, but kept Tuesday and Wednesday dry. Temperatures warm back up by the middle of next week and the end of next week may be the warmest of the season thus far.

Sugar Mountain Resort Activities

The Summit Express & Easy Street chairlifts and the bike park are open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Monday, September 7.

The Summit Crawl results are available at Big Kahuna Timing.

The junior gravity mountain bike camp is July 10-12.

July 17-19, the Avery County Fine Art & Master Crafts Festival, a three-day juried festival welcomes visitors at no charge and brings an eclectic gathering of unique fine artists and master crafters to the foot of beautiful Sugar Mountain.

The Downhill Southeast is the region’s premier downhill mountain bike race series. Join in on the action as racers from around the US do battle on Sugar’s classic downhill tracks August 8 & 9!

Please take a moment to understand the COVID-19 procedures and protocals for summer activity at Sugar Mountain Resort so you can best prepare for a safe and enjoyable visit.

Next winter’s season pass is now on sale. Cash in on great savings if you purchase before October 16.

Sugar Mountain Ski Resort gift cards make a great gift for any occasion.

Check out the live webcams and visit us on Instagram.

Enjoy a look at the past 50 years of Sugar Mountain in this documentary.

SUGAR IS SWEETER!

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