ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A storm brewing on the West Coast is expected to move into Western North Carolina this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service, the powerful storm system will impact the region late Saturday into Sunday with thunderstorms, some of which could be severe, expected. Heavy rain may result in isolated minor/nuisance flooding, weather officials said, while cautioning the forecast could change before then.
The forecast right now is for moisture to slowly increase Thursday into Friday night with well above normal temperatures continuing into the weekend. The storm system will impact the area Saturday into Sunday, bringing widespread heavy rain and thunderstorms, some of which are expected to be severe with damaging winds and tornadoes. Dry and seasonable weather returns early next week.
The forecast for the Asheville area, according to the National Weather Service:
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 3 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Light southeast wind becoming south southeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.
- Friday night: A slight chance of showers before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of showers after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
- Saturday: Showers likely, mainly after 9 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 69. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.
- Saturday night: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 9 p.m. Low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.
- Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.
- Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.