Cold, windy weather headed to WNC this weekend

Western North Carolina had a good run for winter weather this past weekend — with pleasant, spring-like temperatures sky-rocketing from last week’s 20s and 30s to the upper 60s practically overnight.

With Sunday’s recorded high in Asheville reaching 69 degrees, it seemed as if Nibbles the groundhog, professional local meteorologist, had correctly predicted an early spring. But by mid-week, we’ll be falling back into our winter groove, with possible snow flurries Wednesday night into Thursday morning, and temperatures dropping as low as 5 degrees Saturday night.

Wednesday’s high of 56 will drop to a low of around 32 — continuing its descent on Thursday, with a high of 35 and an expected low of 15. Friday’s temperatures should stay level with Thursday, but instead of the previous day’s possible rain, sleet or snow, those out and about on Friday should see a clear, sunny sky.

Those planning to go out Saturday night for Valentine festivities are recommended to dress warm, because along with the single-digit temperatures, conditions are predicted to be “blustery” into Sunday morning.

The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for Western North Carolina later this week, saying, on Thursday, “wind chill possible. The passage of an arctic cold front will usher in rapidly falling temperatures and very windy conditions during the day on Thursday. Wind chill values may fall to as low as 10 below zero by Thursday evening, especially at elevations above 3,500 feet.”

On Friday, the NWS again warns of frigid wind chills. “The combination of very windy conditions and very cold temperatures may result in morning wind chill values as low as 15 below zero across the central and southern North Carolina mountains. Wind gusts over 45 mph are also possible.”

Saturday’s wind chills may reach 10 below zero, and Sunday’s forecast warns of up to 15 below chills in the northern NC mountains — while central and southern mountains, again, will remain an expected 10 below.

Check out this week’s forecast from the actual local (non-groundhog) meteorologists at Ray’s Weather.