ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Residents in Western North Carolina may want to keep winter jackets close at hand as a sharp shift in weather is expected later this week.
Forecasters say record or near-record high temperatures are possible Wednesday across the region before a strong cold front moves through overnight into Thursday, bringing showers, thunderstorms and a potential return to wintry weather in higher elevations.
According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, warm temperatures and gusty southwesterly winds are expected Wednesday ahead of the approaching system.
The cold front is forecast to arrive late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, producing widespread rain and a line of thunderstorms. While the severe weather threat is considered low, forecasters say a few storms could become strong, particularly in the North Carolina mountains.
Meteorologists say colder air moving in behind the front could briefly change rain to a wintry mix Thursday morning, especially in higher elevations.
The wintry precipitation is most likely above 4,000 feet in areas including the Balsam and Smoky mountains, with lighter accumulations possible above 3,000 feet in parts of the northern mountains.
Meteorologist Hunter Ward said heavy rain is expected to move through Western North Carolina early Thursday, with thunderstorms possible between about 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
A second round of precipitation could move through the region between 8 a.m. and noon, when some locations may see rain transition to sleet or snow as colder air filters in.
Ward said some forecast models suggest a dusting of snow is possible in the Asheville area, though warm ground temperatures could limit accumulation.
Areas closer to the North Carolina-Tennessee border may have a better chance of seeing measurable snowfall before sunrise Thursday, with locations such as Mars Hill potentially picking up 1 to 2 inches during heavier bursts of snow.
Higher elevations above 3,000 feet could see slick conditions on roads early Thursday morning if precipitation changes to snow before sunrise.
The system is also expected to bring much-needed rainfall to the region, which has been experiencing drought conditions. Forecasters estimate most areas could receive between three-tenths and six-tenths of an inch of rain.
Cooler and drier conditions are expected to move into the region late Thursday and continue through Saturday.
Forecasters are also warning that temperatures could drop into the upper 20s and low 30s early Friday morning, raising the possibility of frost that could damage early-blooming plants.
Temperatures are expected to rebound by Friday afternoon, reaching the upper 50s and low 60s, with highs near 70 degrees possible over the weekend before another cold front arrives late Sunday into Monday.