Forecast Last Updated at Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 7:06AM

One More Seasonally Pleasant Day

High pressure moving into the Atlantic keeps us dry for one more day, but cloudiness increases. A potent surface low moves from Louisiana this afternoon to North Carolina tomorrow, but then a trailing upper-level low passes over us Friday. Rain develops around sunrise Thursday. Rain remains in the forecast into Friday; however, once the upper-level low moves to our northeast, much colder air quickly wraps into the Southern Appalachians changing rain to snow showers Friday afternoon. Light snow and snow showers continue Friday night ending Saturday morning. Snow accumulations will taper from west to east. Preliminary accumulation thoughts for Friday night and early Saturday are a dusting to 1" along the Blue Ridge, 1"-3" for most of the mountain region with a few 4"+ totals at higher elevations near the TN/NC border. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day look quiet and cool.

The 2019 Blue Ridge Parkway Calendar is a great "from the mountains" Christmas Present. An order today "might" get to you by Christmas by mail, but we cannot guarantee delivery by Dec 25. If you need BRP Calendars by Christmas, you can still get them at many local retailers. This year's feature is Waterfalls along the Parkway. Enjoy!

Wednesday Hi: 49 Lo: 36 Increasing clouds; Cool; Light South wind

Thursday Hi: 45 Lo: 43 Cloudy; Chilly; Rain; Light East wind (but gusty at times up top)

Friday Hi: 46 Lo: 29 Mostly cloudy; Periods of rain; Turning colder; Rain changing to snow showers in the afternoon; Light wind becoming NW 10-20 mph Fri. night with gusts to 45 mph

Saturday Hi: 37 Lo: 27 Morning snow showers or flurries possible; Decreasing afternoon clouds; Chilly; Windy

Sunday Hi: 46 Lo: 34 Increasing PM clouds; Spotty light rain or mtntop snowflakes Sun. night

Further Out

Monday - Decreasing AM clouds; Breezy day; Nice weather for Santa; High in the lower 40s; Low in the upper 20s
Tuesday - Scattered clouds; Cool temperatures; High in the lower 40s; Low near 30 degrees

Forecast Discussion

High pressure is losing its grip on the Eastern U. S. today. A potent disturbance in the middle of the country will be our weather-maker Thursday and Friday.

After a quiet Wednesday with increasing clouds, rain develops around sunrise. A surface low will move through NC Thursday, then the upper-level low and cold front move through Friday. Rain Friday morning will transition to snow from top to bottom and west to east Friday afternoon. Expect snow showers Friday night into early Saturday. Preliminary accumulation thoughts for Friday night and early Saturday are a dusting to 1" along the Blue Ridge, 1"-3" for most of the mountain region with a few 4"+ totals at higher elevations near the TN/NC border.

Skies clear Saturday. It will be windy and cold Friday night and Saturday.

The front will stall to our south with a weak disturbance developing in North Texas. The disturbance along with a weak front will move through Sunday night. Clouds increase Sunday afternoon. Spotty light rain and maybe some mountaintop snowflakes are possible Sunday night.

Weak high pressure slides from Kentucky into Virginia Monday and Christmas Day. Our weather looks cool, breezy Monday, but quiet Christmas Day.

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