ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — It felt more like early October than August in the mountains Sunday, as Asheville broke a 116-year-old record for the lowest high temperature ever recorded on that date — just 65 degrees.
The previous record for Aug. 3, set in 1909, was 71 degrees, according to the National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg. Records for the Asheville area date to 1869.
Forecasters said the fall-like chill is being driven by a classic case of cold air damming — when cool air is wedged against the mountains by high pressure to the north — keeping skies gray and temperatures well below seasonal norms.
A coastal low is expected to slowly erode the wedge by the weekend, allowing for a gradual warming trend. But in the meantime, below-average highs and persistent rain chances will remain the story across Western North Carolina and the surrounding region.
Rain is in the forecast every day this week, with the potential for locally heavy downpours. Highs are expected to remain in the 70s through Saturday — more than 10 degrees below the typical August average.
The chance of rain Monday is 40 percent and 70 percent Monday night.
Tuesday brings a 70 percent chance of rain, with patchy fog and a high near 72. Wednesday could see thunderstorms in the afternoon, with highs climbing slightly to the upper 70s. By Thursday and Friday, highs may reach 80 — still cool for early August.
Forecasters are urging residents to keep umbrellas handy and prepare for soggy commutes. Overnight lows are expected to stay in the low 60s, with dense fog possible during the early morning hours.
Despite the wet and chilly pattern, the rain may provide some relief to parched soils from earlier summer dry spells.
The unsettled weather is expected to continue into the weekend, but sunshine and more typical summer heat may return by next week.