Forecast Last Updated at Friday, October 23, 2020 at 4:55PM

Damp Weekend Ahead

A cold front is knocking on the door and moves through late Saturday. Clouds are on the increase ahead of the front and I cannot rule out a passing light shower early this evening. Scattered showers are more of a "thing" tomorrow, especially in the afternoon and early evening. Behind the front a cool wedge of high pressure sets up shop Sunday and Monday. Sunday has overcast skies and fog with occasional very light rain or drizzle. Monday is a notch brighter and begins the journey towards more late October warmth for part of next week.

Ray Russell's 2020-2021 Winter Fearless Forecast is now available. The bottom line for the forecast is: 1) less than average snow and 2) slightly warmer than average temperatures. We will have a few significant snow events but prolonged cold periods will be difficult to sustain. Get all the details here. The Fearless Forecast is sponsored by Peak Insurance Group.

The 2021 Blue Ridge Calendar will be available in stores this week.  Visit RaysMarketPlace.com for a complete listing of retailers or purchase online.  A portion of the proceeds goes to support the important work of the Blue Ridge Conservancy.

Friday Hi: 72 Lo: 51 Partly to mostly cloudy; Stray shower possible early; Light SE wind, but breezy at higher elev's

Saturday Hi: 64 Lo: 50 Mostly cloudy; Scattered showers, particularly PM; Fog possible Sat. night; NW wind 5-15 mph, becoming Light SE Sat night

Sunday Hi: 59 Lo: 48 Generally cloudy with fog; Patchy light rain possible; Cooler; Light SE wind, but breezy at higher elev's

Monday Hi: 61 Lo: 50 Mostly to partly cloudy; Slightest chance of a light, AM shower

Tuesday Hi: 67 Lo: 52 Partly sunny; Warming back up

Further Out

Wednesday - Partly sunny; Mild; High in the upper 60s; Low in the lower 50s
Thursday - Cloudy with showers; Not as warm; High near 60 degrees; Low in the mid 40s

Forecast Discussion

The benign and warm late October pattern breaks down this weekend to some extent. Before we get there, however, we keep a few clouds around for this evening with a slight risk for a stray shower.

A cold front moves through Saturday evening generating scattered light showers tomorrow. Most of the showers are focused on the afternoon and evening hours. Behind the front high pressure centered over New England wedges down the Appalachians creating overcast skies Sunday with fog, cooler temperatures, and some occasional light rain or drizzle. Saturday is the wetter of the two, but Sunday is less friendly.

The wedge holds through Monday in a weakening state and dissolves by Tuesday. Tuesday and Wednesday are seasonably warm again.

Rain returns Thursday as a strong area of low pressure gets organized in west Texas and moves through Friday night. Ahead of the low a disturbance lifting north from the Gulf brings a solid round of showers Thursday. There will be a brief break in the action for part of Friday before the low pressure center rides through the southern Appalachians Friday night. The takeaway is for a couple of wet days to close out the work week followed by a cooler weekend.

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