Warm start to the week, but autumn cold snap looms: Forecast here

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - After a cool start, Monday’s high temperatures warmed into the 70s, almost ten degrees above-average.

The warmth will continue through midweek, before the coldest air so far this season drops in for the weekend.

Two more warm days

Clear skies overnight will allow temperatures to fall to the upper 30s and low 40s by early Tuesday morning. Abundant sunshine on Tuesday will once again push highs into the low to mid 70s.

Clouds will increase on Wednesday, although temperatures should still reach past 70 degrees.

While Wednesday’s clouds will try to squeeze out a few showers, our odds of measurable rain will remain low until late Wednesday night.

Showers Thursday

On Thursday, a strong cold front will sweep across the Carolinas. It won’t have much moisture to work with, so measurable rain chances remain below 50-50 around Charlotte.

The best chance of showers will be in the mountains, and even there rainfall totals will likely be less than a quarter-inch.

Chilly weather coming

Significantly colder air will charge in behind the cold front. Highs in Charlotte Friday through Monday will only reach the 50s, and the first frost of the season looks likely Saturday and Sunday mornings.

The cold air will combine with lingering moisture to produce snow showers in the mountains late Thursday night and Friday. Accumulations will be modest: most likely around an inch on lawns and rooftops in Ashe, Watauga and Avery counties.

Some of the highest peaks along the TN/NC state line could add up a few inches of snow for the first time this season.

Forecast at a glance

• Through Wednesday: Cool mornings, warm afternoons
• Thursday: Light rain showers
• Friday through Sunday: Cold, mountain snow showers

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