ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Scattered showers and thunderstorms were expected to continue through the day Friday with dry conditions returning this weekend and continuing into Monday.
The unsettled weather brought pea-sized hail to the Asheville area Friday afternoon.
Much cooler temperatures are expected over the weekend, especially Saturday night into Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The frost and freeze risk will be elevated across the mountains.
A Freeze Watch is in effect from Saturday night until 10 a.m. Sunday, April 13, for Buncombe, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Madison, Northern Jackson, Southern Jackson, Swain and Transylvania counties.
The growing season has begun for most of the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia, with the exception of the following counties: Avery, Mitchell, Yancey, Caldwell mountains, Burke mountains and McDowell mountains.
Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Showers will be possible across the mountains Monday night as another fast moving systems passes through the region. Thereafter, dry weather continues into late week.
The weekend forecast, according to the National Weather Service:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North-northwest wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 56. North-northwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
- Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North-northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind 3 to 5 mph.
- Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.