Forecast Last Updated at Monday, July 26, 2021 at 1:11PM

Storms Continue

Thunderstorms have begun firing up along the Blue Ridge Escarpment and are likely to broaden in coverage along a weak cold front. Tuesday, the front is close enough to spark isolated afternoon showers and storms (with emphasis on points from Avery County and to the south). Wednesday and Thursday will be the warmest days of the year thus far.

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.

Monday Hi: 83 Lo: 62 Scattered storms continue; Some storms could be strong; Light NW wind except in storms

Tuesday Hi: 85 Lo: 62 Mostly to partly cloudy; Isolated mostly PM showers & thunderstorms; Light, variable wind

Wednesday Hi: 90 Lo: 62 Mostly clear; Warmer; Light South wind

Thursday Hi: 90 Lo: 65 Partly cloudy PM; Very warm

Friday Hi: 85 Lo: 59 Scattered clouds; Widely scattered PM showers & t-storms

Further Out

Saturday - Scattered clouds; Near-average temperatures; High in the lower 80s; Low in the upper 50s
Sunday - Partly cloudy; Cannot rule out a stray PM thundershower; High in the mid 80s; Low in the lower 60s

Forecast Discussion

Convective drama has begun along the Escarpment and Parkway and are likely to broaden in coverage through the day. The smoky haze will become less noticeable after today as a cold front descends upon the area.

The front settles just to our south Tuesday keeping isolated showers and storms in the forecast for Tuesday afternoon and early evening. The focus of the storms tomorrow will be from Avery County and to the south.

By Wednesday, the front fades off the map and much warmer air arrives from the southwest. Wednesday and Thursday will be the warmest days of summer thus far.

Another front arrives Friday with widely scattered afternoon and early evening showers and storms. Friday is still warm and humid but less warm than the previous two days.

Drier air arrives Saturday thanks to high pressure in the Ohio Valley. Saturday is the weather pick of the week. Sunday is a bit more humid with a "barely worth mentioning" chance of an afternoon thundershower.

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