ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Clouds over Western North Carolina are expected to clear Monday, giving way to sunshine and near-normal temperatures, according to the National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg.
Forecasters said dry conditions will hold through most of the day, with highs near 74 degrees in Asheville. Light winds will shift southeast by the afternoon.
Rain chances return late Monday night into Tuesday as a weakening line of storms moves into the mountains. Showers and thunderstorms are likely Tuesday morning, with patchy fog possible before 11 a.m. Rainfall amounts are expected to range from a tenth to a quarter inch, with higher totals in thunderstorms.
A more active pattern develops midweek. A cold front moving into the region Wednesday is expected to bring widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. Forecasters said some storms could become strong, though it remains uncertain whether severe weather will develop.
Conditions are expected to dry out Thursday as the front moves south, bringing mostly sunny skies and a high near 66. Another system could bring additional rain late Friday into Saturday.
Despite the upcoming rain chances, the Asheville area remains well below normal precipitation levels. Since March 1, the area has recorded 2.82 inches of rain, about 4.58 inches below average. Since the start of the year, rainfall totals are down 6.77 inches.
In a social media update, Asheville City Council member Bo Hess said Asheville Water Resources is closely monitoring drought conditions and updating its model weekly.
Hess said current projections show reservoir levels are not expected to fall low enough to trigger water restrictions within the next 12 weeks.
Officials said they will continue monitoring conditions and encouraged residents to conserve water as a precaution.
Meanwhile, a statewide burn ban remains in effect across North Carolina. The order prohibits all open burning in all 100 counties, regardless of previously issued permits, and no new permits will be granted until the ban is lifted.