Forecast Last Updated at Friday, April 18, 2014 at 8:10PM

Wet Through Saturday

We had a pretty good thing going the last few days with ample sunshine. That changed today thanks to a developing storm system along the Gulf Coast. That system made for a cloudy Friday and it is now in the process of making for a wet Friday night and Saturday. Fortunately the weather breaks for Easter Sunday with a warmer and sunnier afternoon headed our way.

Friday Hi: 56 Lo: 46 Cloudy tonight with periods of rain; NE wind 5-10 mph

Saturday Hi: 57 Lo: 47 Cloudy with periods of rain, tapering off in the evening; Cool; NE wind 5-15 mph

Sunday Hi: 68 Lo: 49 Decreasing clouds for Easter; NE wind 5-10 mph

Monday Hi: 74 Lo: 53 Partly to mostly cloudy

Tuesday Hi: 75 Lo: 48 Mostly cloudy with showers and t-showers possible

Further Out

Wednesday - Mostly sunny; High in the upper 60s; Low in the lower 40s
Thursday - Lots of sunshine; Milder; High in the lower 70s; Low in the upper 40s

Forecast Discussion

An upper-level low moves slowly east through the Southeast tonight and into the Western Atlantic by Sunday. Associated with the upper-level low is a surface low moving east along the Gulf Coast. The surface low will be just east of Jacksonville FL by late Saturday. It's a slow-mover with a large area of clouds and rain. We tried to stay optimistic with the forecast this morning, but the slow movement is creating problems. Basically, the slowness of the system is allowing more time for moisture to get banked up against the east side of the Appalachians which means a better coverage of rain. Also, the slow movement means the moisture will take longer to move out.

So, with all that said, here is what we are thinking as of this evening. Rain has already begun to fall across parts of the NC Foothills and the rain will continue to fill in this evening. Periods of rain are expected to continue through much of Saturday and possibly all the way to early Saturday evening. While we expect widespread rainfall through tomorrow, the highest totals are forecast to be along and south of I-40 with lesser amounts further north along the NC/VA border.

That system will be far enough to our southeast Easter Sunday with high pressure building in from the north over us, giving us more sun by the afternoon and at least a slight rebound in temperatures. Monday will be even warmer, but clouds increase in the afternoon and overnight.

The next front from the west moves through Tuesday with showers (maybe a thundershower). Temperatures remain pleasant ahead of the front, but it will become much cooler Tuesday night. After Tuesday the rest of the work week, or Spring Break if you are lucky, will be dry.

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