Forecast Last Updated at Friday, May 18, 2012 at 7:02AM

More Clouds but Less Rain

Scattered thundershowers fired up Thursday evening. That moisture along with a southeasterly flow will result in more clouds today along with morning fog. Isolated thundershowers will develop this afternoon before drier air overtakes the region tonight. Skies will be mostly clear tomorrow--looks like a beautiful day! Sunday will be mostly dry, but we cannot completely rule out a stray late-Sunday thundershower. Temperatures will remain at or slightly above normal through the weekend.

We are excited about a new weather station... Check out the Watauga High School Weather Station. There's a webcam too! Speaking of webcams, have you seen the webcams at High Country Bank on Blowing Rock Road or at United Way Offices (also on Blowing Rock Road)?

Friday Hi: 73 Lo: 51 Mostly to partly cloudy with early fog; Stray afternoon t-showers; SE wind 5-10 mph becoming light tonight

Saturday Hi: 75 Lo: 50 Lots of sunshine; Pleasant May temperatures; Light SE wind

Sunday Hi: 75 Lo: 54 More PM clouds; Cannot rule out a late-day or nighttime thundershower; Light East wind

Monday Hi: 75 Lo: 56 Mostly to partly cloudy; Scattered showers & t-showers possible

Tuesday Hi: 75 Lo: 56 Increasing PM clouds; Scattered PM showers & t-showers

Further Out

Wednesday - Partly to mostly cloudy; Scattered PM showers & t-showers; High in the mid 70s; Low in the upper 50s
Thursday - Partly cloudy; Scattered PM thundershowers; High in the upper 70s; Low in the upper 50s

Forecast Discussion

High pressure centered in New England is pushing drier air down the east side of the Appalachians. A stationary front is located just off the Atlantic Coast. Weak upper-level energy is lurking along the Carolina Coast. Our weather through Monday is a delicate balance between these three features.

The average high temperature in mid-May in the valleys is 69-73 degrees and near 60° on mountaintops. We'll be 2-6 degrees above those averages for the next seven days. (You can check that any time at our Climate This Week Section from the Almanac Menu.

Overall across Western NC, today will be drier than Thursday afternoon/evening as drier air associated with the New England high asserts more control over our weather. Having said that, it will not be completely dry--isolated afternoon and evening thundershowers are expected.

Saturday, that drier air will be more established over us resulting in a pleasant day. Showers and thundershowers will be pushed more to our south and west.

The upper-level energy along the Carolina Coast and the front just off the coast will spawn a surface low; the details of which are still impossible to forecast. Sunday looks mostly dry; however, it's still too early to rule out an afternoon or nighttime shower or thundershower. Monday looks to have increased (but still just scattered) coverage of mostly afternoon and evening thundershowers.

Tuesday through Thursday, the next front from the west approaches and washes out over the Southeast. Scattered mostly afternoon and evening thundershowers will be a decent bet each day.

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