ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Independence Day holiday weekend is shaping up to be seasonably warm and mostly dry across the western Carolinas, according to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg.
A cold front pushing south from the Great Lakes is expected to usher in drier air, resulting in comfortable conditions for holiday celebrations, including outdoor gatherings and fireworks displays.
Forecasters said temperatures will remain near normal for early July, with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s through the weekend. Humidity levels will be slightly lower than typical thanks to drier air filtering into the region.
“Nothing severe is expected, and overall, it looks like great weather to kick off the holiday weekend,” the Weather Service said in a statement.
Afternoon highs are expected to reach 87 degrees Thursday, with sunny skies and light winds. Overnight lows will dip into the low 60s.
Friday, Independence Day, is expected to remain sunny with a high near 88. A calm wind is forecast to shift from the east in the afternoon. Conditions remain mostly clear Friday night, with lows around 64.
Saturday brings more sunshine and continued pleasant conditions, with highs near 87 and partly cloudy skies overnight.
By Sunday, typical summertime weather returns, with a 30 percent chance of afternoon and early evening showers and thunderstorms, particularly west of the mountains. Otherwise, the day should remain mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-80s.
Despite some uncertainty in long-range models, especially regarding possible development off the Carolina coast, the consensus among meteorologists is that high pressure will hold firm across the region, limiting rain chances through Saturday.
This time of year, a stray mountain shower can’t be ruled out because of daytime heating, forecasters noted, but confidence is low due to strong subsidence aloft.
Rainfall totals across the region in June were variable, with some areas experiencing above-average precipitation while others remained drier than normal.
Still, for most across the Carolinas, the Fourth of July is expected to be dry, warm, and just about perfect for summer festivities.