ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Dry air remained in place across Western North Carolina on Monday, pushing relative humidity below 25 percent as temperatures rebounded slightly, according to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg.
Winds were lighter and conditions sunny and dry, though afternoon highs are expected to stay well below normal. High pressure will keep quiet weather in place through midweek, with a gradual warming trend beginning Tuesday.
Forecasters said a weak disturbance may pass through the Southeast on Wednesday, but limited moisture should keep impacts minimal. As surface winds turn southwest late Wednesday, moisture and temperatures are expected to increase, bringing highs closer to seasonal averages.
A more active weather pattern arrives Thursday as a cold front moves into the region, increasing the chance for rain Thursday afternoon into early Friday. Rainfall totals are expected to range from about a half-inch to 1 inch. Thunderstorms are possible to the south, though severe weather is not expected locally.
Temperatures are forecast to remain too warm for wintry precipitation across most of the area. However, there is a slight chance of a brief mix of frozen precipitation at the highest mountain elevations Thursday night as colder air moves in. That risk has decreased with recent forecasts.
Drier and cooler conditions are expected Friday, followed by another warming trend heading into the weekend.
In Asheville, skies will be sunny Monday with a high near 43 degrees and a low around 22 overnight. Tuesday will be sunny with a high near 55. Highs are expected to reach the mid-50s Wednesday and Thursday before cooling to the upper 40s on Friday.