Forecast Last Updated at Monday, August 21, 2017 at 7:08AM

Great American Eclipse

Never in U. S. history have so many been so interested in a sky condition forecast! The eclipse in Western NC occurs between 1 and 4 PM, with a peak just after 2:30 PM (2:38 PM in Boone for example). We will contend with some afternoon cloudiness, and a stray afternoon shower cannot be completely ruled out. However, we should get decent views of this rare event. After today (if anyone cares :-))... Warm temperatures continue tomorrow with a similar "cannot completely rule out" chance of an afternoon shower. A front moves through Wednesday with scattered showers and thundershowers.

2018 Blue Ridge Parkway Calendars
The 2018 Blue Ridge Parkway Calendar contains over 55 photos from the RaysWeather.Com Blue Ridge Parkway Photo Contest. But it includes much more--climate data, Parkway Information, and even November/December 2017 calendar pages so you can begin using it soon. Monday, we begin shipping orders and the calendars begin appearing in stores across the region.

Monday Hi: 70 Lo: 59 Sunshine giving way to partly cloudy skies; Warm; Cannot rule out an afternoon shower or thundershower; Wind becoming South 5-10 mph

Tuesday Hi: 71 Lo: 61 Plenty of sunshine; Cannot rule out a stray, afternoon shower or t-shower; Light SW wind

Wednesday Hi: 68 Lo: 57 Partly to mostly cloudy; PM showers & thunderstorms a good bet; West wind 5-15 mph, becoming NW at night

Thursday Hi: 64 Lo: 53 Becoming mostly clear; Pleasant

Friday Hi: 62 Lo: 51 Lots of sunshine; Nice temperatures & humidity levels

Further Out

Saturday - Partly to mostly sunny; Continued nice; High near 60 degrees; Low in the lower 50s
Sunday - Few clouds; Slightly cooler; High in the upper 50s; Low in the lower 50s

Forecast Discussion

It's going to be a crazy day across much of the country as folks get a rare look at a total solar eclipse. The next total solar eclipse in the U. S. will be April 8, 2024.

So, the multi-million dollar question... Will sky conditions allow us to see the eclipse today? Yes, but it may be blocked by clouds at times. Even a renegade shower is possible this afternoon. Skies go from clear this morning to partly/mostly cloudy this afternoon with daytime heating. Temperatures will be slightly warmer than average.

Tuesday's weather will be similar to today--warm with a stray afternoon shower possible.

A front moves through Wednesday night with scattered showers and thundershowers, mostly in the afternoon and evening.

An expansive area of high pressure centered in the Great Lakes takes control of our weather beginning Thursday. It will slide slowly east and be centered in NY by Sunday. We will be on the southern edge of that high; so while a stray shower is not impossible Thursday through the weekend, the chances are small enough to omit the mention from the daily boxes for now. The current warm period ends Wednesday; temperatures Thursday through the weekend will be at or slightly below average.

Sugar Mountain Resort Activities

For spectacular viewing of the Great American Total Solar Eclipse ride the Summit Express Monday, August 21 from noon until 5 p.m.

Round-trip chairlift rides on the Summit Express to Sugar Mountain's 5,300' peak run every weekend until September 4. Mountain bikers are welcome.

Summit to base in 5 minutes on a mountain bike - for real! Watch the video of Sugar's downhill track.

Sugar Mountain Sports Shop is open every weekend until September 4.

The 27th annual Oktoberfest is October 14 & 15.

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