ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Severe weather and unseasonably warm temperatures are expected to return to the region Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters said the main threat from any storms that develop will be damaging wind gusts, particularly during the afternoon and evening hours both days.
Friday’s severe weather risk will be greatest west of Asheville, especially near the Tennessee state line, forecasters said.
Saturday is shaping up to be the more active day, with a greater chance of scattered severe thunderstorms across the region, according to North Carolina Emergency Management.
The weekend forecast, according to the National Weather Service:
Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming east-northeast. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Tonight: Patchy fog, otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Light and variable wind.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming west-northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Light west-northwest wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Saturday: High near 83. Calm wind becoming west-northwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.
Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Sunday night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.