Weather Permitting: Expect rain and cooler temperatures in Fayetteville this weekend
The Cape Fear region has one more run at 90 degrees in store this week. After that, look for things to return closer to normal.
Fayetteville has been running about 15 degrees warmer than usual for mid-April, thanks to an offshore summer pattern. This weekend will see that pattern broken as a cold front slowly sags into the Carolinas, bringing cooler temperatures and some needed rain.
It's been a dry April in the region, with much of the area falling into abnormally dry conditions. That will change for some as showers return Saturday.
Here's the setup
A Bermuda high has been feeding the Carolinas unusually warm, dry weather this week. Now it appears a string of cold fronts will wear down the ridge, dropping the Cape Fear region back into more normal April temperatures.
There's no relief Thursday, the final day of our push toward 90 degrees in Fayetteville. At least low dew points (in the upper 40s) have kept the heat from being oppressive.
Conditions begin to change Friday as a weak cold front approaches the state. The Cape Fear region will see an increase in clouds, holding us in the mid-80s, with a few scattered showers. Some of these may become better organized south and east of I-95 in the late afternoon. Overnight lows will drop into the low 60s.
The weekend
Saturday will see a second front dip into the Cape Fear region. There's uncertainty about when it arrives, however. A quicker passage means less rain, while a slower arrival gives the region more time to warm up. This increases instability, meaning a stormier forecast.
Right now, I'd look for an active afternoon and early evening, with a high of about 82 in Fayetteville. Lows should run in the 60-degree range.
Whichever happens, Sunday will be considerably cooler as a strong northeast flow sets up. The front should be south of the Cape Fear region, but may still be close enough for early clouds and some scattered showers. Things will dry out in the afternoon with a high in Fayetteville of about 68. Overnight lows drop back into the low 50s.
Next week
Temperatures return to late April norms, with 70 degrees as a high on Monday, mid-70s Tuesday and upper 70s Wednesday. Rain chances are scant with a dry northwest flow.
Have a great weekend, but keep an umbrella handy Saturday.
Got a weather question? Chick Jacobs can be reached at ncweatherhound@gmail.com or NCWeatherhound on X/Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville, NC to see rain this weekend
