Forecast Last Updated at Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 7:02AM

Isolated PM Thunder

We have enjoyed glorious weather after a front moved through Monday. The smoky haze from fires thousands of miles to our NW lingers. A trough develops this weekend on the lee (east) side of the Appalachians. It, along with daytime heating, provides the spark for isolated PM showers and thunderstorms today and Sunday. We'll have increased coverage of showers and storms Monday. Temperatures are warm this weekend; however, the warmest weather of the summer thus far is coming Wednesday and Thursday.

The 2022 Blue Ridge Calendar Photo Contest is complete. Our Grand Prize Winner is Valerie Seals with her photo of Big Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But there are 14 other winning photos. See all the winning photos at the 2022 Blue Ridge Calendar Photo Gallery. Many thanks to all the photographers who shared their time and talent with us. Once again, we had stunning photography to choose from.

We are now preparing the calendar for the printer and hope to be selling calendars by the end of August.

Saturday Hi: 84 Lo: 66 Partly cloudy; Smoky haze; More humid; Isolated PM showers or t-storms; South wind 5-15 mph

Sunday Hi: 86 Lo: 66 Early patchy fog possible; Partly cloudy; Smoky haze; Isolated PM showers & t-storms; SW 5-10 mph, becoming light Sun. night in valleys

Monday Hi: 82 Lo: 64 Mostly cloudy; Scattered showers & thunderstorms; Some storms could be strong; West wind 5-10 mph

Tuesday Hi: 86 Lo: 64 Partly to mostly cloudy; An isolated daytime shower or storm possible

Wednesday Hi: 88 Lo: 66 Mostly clear; Warm

Further Out

Thursday - Partly cloudy PM; Remains warm; High in the upper 80s; Low in the mid 60s
Friday - Scattered clouds; Cannot rule out a PM shower or t-shower; High in the mid 80s; Low in the mid 60s

Forecast Discussion

That smoky haze from fires in the NW US and Canada remain with us at least through the weekend. Temperatures are warm but not unseasonably so. Daytime heating along with a trough developing to our east provides the spark for isolated afternoon and evening showers and storms today and Sunday. Saturday afternoon could have a bit more coverage right along the Blue Ridge.

Monday, expect an increase in shower/storm coverage and that could begin before sunrise Monday. A weak front limps into the region from the north early Tuesday and stalls nearby by the middle of next week.

Drier air arrives Tuesday. The question is does it arrive in time to salvage a mostly dry Tuesday. I think so but hedging my bets in the forecast.

Wednesday and Thursday will be the warmest days of summer thus far. And dry. The atmosphere moistens up a little Friday with scattered clouds and the slightest chance of a PM thundershower.

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