Expect few weather impacts for travel across N.C. this week

The week before Christmas can include traffic and crowded flights for people heading home for the holidays. This week, there will be some impacts to travelers across the state, though those impacts look minimal.

Over the past weekend, we saw light showers bring anywhere from barely measurable rainfall to parts of the Piedmont to several tenths of an inch of rain to the mountains.

The start to the workweek will be warm and dry before rain chances rise in the middle of the week.

Spring-like temperatures through Wednesday

Though not directly impacting our travel, you can expect temperatures to be unseasonably warm through the middle of the week, with highs potentially getting as warm as the middle 70s in some areas.

Southerly winds in the forecast are responsible for ushering in some March-like temperatures in the afternoons, which may mean shorts and T-shirts are needed instead of what we’re typically wearing a week before Christmas.

A cold front will come through on Wednesday.

Scattered showers possible midweek

Wednesday’s front is expected to bring our wettest weather this week, but thunderstorms look unlikely. Energy will be in limited supply in the atmosphere.

Showers will be scattered across the state during the day, perhaps becoming more widespread at night. This could mean some delays, and you should use extra caution if you’re going to be driving around the area.

About 0.1″ to 0.5″ of rainfall is expected from Wednesday through Thursday morning, when showers are expected to taper off.

Arctic air arrives on Friday

After warming up through Wednesday, another “polar plunge” is forecast for the end of the week, so be sure to pack some winter clothes.

Temperatures will end up rising only to the 40s over the upcoming weekend. Though there is some uncertainty, the forecast from Friday through next Sunday looks mostly dry.

Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.