Current Conditions
Powder Horn

Temp: 50.4°F

Forecast Last Updated at Monday, April 23, 2018 at 11:33AM

Prolific Rain

We've advertised it for many days, and rain will live up to it's billing today. Expect 2.5"-3.5" of rain by Wednesday morning; however, right along the Blue Ridge (the eastern escarpment) 5" of rain is possible. Heaviest rain will be this afternoon and tonight. Scattered showers are possible Wednesday. Temperatures will be chilly today, slightly milder tomorrow, and a bit warmer Wednesday. Merlefest is on our minds and in our schedules Thursday through Sunday. Weather for the festival looks good overall--cooler than average; however, scattered showers will threaten the PM hours Thursday and Friday. For details about Merlefest weather, see our Hour-by-Hour Merlefest Forecast.

Voting is underway in the 2019 Blue Ridge Parkway Calendar Photo Contest. We received over 700 entries in the contest (the most ever). Many thanks to all the photographers for the great response. Voting will continue until May 1, 2018.

Monday Hi: 54 Lo: 48 Cloudy; Cool; Fog; Rain, heavy in the afternoon & overnight; East wind 10-20, gusty

Tuesday Hi: 60 Lo: 50 Cloudy & Cool; Fog; Rain; Light East wind, becoming NW Tue. night

Wednesday Hi: 65 Lo: 44 Generally cloudy; Lingering showers; Not as chilly; NW wind 5-15 mph

Thursday Hi: 64 Lo: 44 Lots of clouds; Scattered PM showers

Friday Hi: 67 Lo: 46 Lots of clouds; Scattered PM showers

Further Out

Saturday - Decreasing clouds; Temperatures slightly below seasonal norms; High in the upper 60s; Low in the mid 40s
Sunday - Clear; Well-earned pleasant weather; High in the lower 70s; Low in the upper 40s

Forecast Discussion

The main story today is rain. Expect 2.5"-3.5" of rain by Wednesday morning for most of the region; however, 5" (or even more) reports are possible right along the Blue Ridge in the strong upslope flow. Rain continues tomorrow and a few scattered showers my linger into Wednesday.

Secondary story lines today are: 1) chilly temperatures (only gradually milder Tuesday and Wednesday) and 2) a gusty SE wind 10-20 mph (gusts to 50 mph on the mountaintops). But winds will settle Tuesday.

Add all that together, and we have a classic "Yuck Weather Monday". The culprit is a potent upper-level low rolling NE through the Tennessee Valley today and into the Northeast Wednesday. An accompanying surface low moves across the Southeast today and Tuesday; then northeast, just inland of the Atlantic Coast Wednesday. A strong southerly fetch will produce prolific rains especially along the eastern escarpment this afternoon and tonight.

A trough hangs tough in the Eastern U. S. through the rest of this week with low pressure trolling the Gulf Coast and then into the Atlantic. Cool air aloft will keep our weather unsettled Thursday and Friday with scattered PM showers. Finally, Saturday and Sunday bring dry weather as high pressure returns from the west. Expect temperatures to remain slightly cooler than seasonal averages.

Of course, many of us will spend lots of time this weekend atMerlefest. Clothing selection should account for pleasant days, cool nights, and the potential for scattered PM showers Thursday and Friday. Saturday and Sunday look dry and fabulous.

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