ASHEBORO N.C. – An arctic air system will move into the U.S. this week as forecasters become more confident that there won’t be a white Christmas for the Triad.
What’s Happening?
Cold artic air from Siberia will make its way down from Canada thanks to a high-pressure system sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday, reaching the Triad sometime on Friday.
Meanwhile, a coastal low-pressure system tracking up eastern/coastal sections of the Carolinas will bring widespread moderate rain into the area Wednesday night and Thursday and into Friday.
In models the arctic low-pressure system is tracking to the north and west of our state with the mountains blocking some of the coldest of the air (and moisture needed for heavy snow) but expect wind chills in the single digits and lower teens Friday and Saturday nights.
Forecast
Very cold temperatures over the Holiday Weekend, averaging 15 to 20 degrees below normal. Wind chills in the single digits Friday night!
Wednesday
45 | 35
A slight chance of rain after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Calm wind becoming northeast around 6 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Overnight rain likely, mainly after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Thursday
49 | 43
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Overnight, rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday
44 | 17
A chance of rain and snow before 1pm. (No Accumulation Expected) Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Overnight, mostly clear, with a low around 17.
Poss Flurries, Bitterly Cold – (Wind chills in the single digits overnight)
Saturday
33 | 15
Christmas Eve
Sunny, with a high near 33. Overnight, Partly cloudy, with a low around 15.
Sunday
35 | ??
Christmas Day
Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.
What To Watch Out For
- Arctic cold front will cross the area Friday, bringing strong gradient winds of 35-40 mph.
- Wind chills in the single digits and lower teens digits Friday night and Saturday night.
- Scattered rain showers accompanying the Arctic cold front could potentially ending as some wet snow flakes.
- Travel hazards / delays from cold, windy, and wet conditions, including icing possible.
While forecasters are confident in the forecast for the holiday weekend, there is some possibility of change as the weather evolves and the weekend draws closer. We will continue to monitor this system and provide updates here on Randolph News Now as well as on Facebook and Twitter if the forecast changes.