I know there is a “North” in the name, but you don’t usually think of sub-freezing temperatures in Charlotte, North Carolina. That’s exactly what they saw on January 19th and 20th, though. Most of the 20th, in fact, was below freezing, with highs remaining in the mid-30s. It’s been an active month, and post frontal cooldowns are becoming many in the southeast are getting used to enduring. The Weather Channel and Accuweather tied for the top forecast, missing out, as everyone did, on the end of the rain associated with that cold front sweeping through. No rain on the 19th. Actuals: January 19th, High 52, Low 29 January 20th, High 33, Low 20
It’s a Carolina kind of day here at Victoria-Weather, after the earlier verification in South Carolina. What will we look forward to in the coming days in North Carolina?
At 952PM, ET, Charlotte was reporting a temperature of 42 degrees with overcast skies. Coastal North Carolina finds itself between a strong offshore low, and a wave sweeping in from the Great Lakes. The wave is ushering in cold air, while the strong low is inducing more rain and convective activity. The Great Lakes feature is dragging a cold front across the Appalachians right now, with rain and some sleet reported in the far western reaches at Andrews of the state. Not much, if any of this moisture will descend the mountains into Charlotte, but that doesn’t mean a dry 24 hours for the Queen City. Light precipitation is going to linger in the area through most of the morning as the offshore low intensifies and adopts the clipper moving in from the northwest. While most of the moisture will be spent in the mountains, the cold air will not be. This will be a prime opportunity for cold air damming, but temperatures will still be chillier for the beginning of the weekend. Cold high pressure will trap the chilly temperatures Tomorrow – A bit of drizzle, then clearing with temperatures dropping, High 48, Low 28 Saturday – Clear but quite cold, High 33, Low 18
TWC: Tomorrow – Partly cloudy skies with gusty winds developing during the afternoon. (early rain) High 48, Low 30 Saturday – Sunny. High 34, Low 20
AW: Tomorrow – Mostly cloudy; breezy in the afternoon (Early rain) High 49, Low 29 Saturday – Plenty of sunshine, but colder High 34, Low 22
NWS: Tomorrow – Mostly sunny, Early rain, High 47, Low 26 Saturday – Sunny High 33, Low 18
WB: Tomorrow – Partly sunny early, then clearing, (early rain) High 47, Low 28 Saturday – Sunny, High 33, Low 23
WN: Tomorrow – Partly cloudy (early rain), High 47, Low 25 Saturday – Sunny, High 33, Low 18
CLI: Tomorrow – Sunny (early rain) High 50, Low 27 Saturday – Sunny, High 36, Low 19
A pretty chilly day for Charlotte, shortly after a pretty chilly forecast for Dallas. I should note, that everyone had rain through about 5AM, but that doesn’t translate to their daily forecast. Here comes the rain on radar.
Charlotte and Allentown are definitely Eastern cities, but they have the good fortune of not being along the Coast. This means that our route can take I-81, which is windier, hillier and otherwise more scenic, while also avoiding the traffic of I-95. It will take a day to get from North Carolina to our destination in Pennsylvania, at a pace of 66.4mph.
Charlotte, North Carolina
There are a few clouds streaming across the Coastal Plains as low pressure churns off the coast of New England. The low will drift to Nova Scotia, while breezier and relatively cool air continues to press south. The flow will be coming up an over the Appalachians, so relative to the conditions throughout the rest of Vieginia, expect clearer skies. As we pass west of Baltimore, we will get north of the front, which will shear away the remaining threat of wet weather. Allentown will be delightful and awaits our arrival.
On this Saturday evening, all I can think is that this drive is going to take us right through SEC country. We’ll depart from ACC territory, I suppose, as we take an 8 hour, somewhat circuitous drive to northern Alabama. We will be on the road covering 507 miles at a pace of only 64.9mph. But really, check out this route.
Charlotte, North Carolina
There is a small, tightly wound area of low pressure shuttling through the southeastern US towards the Mid-Atlantic overnight tonight. By the time we wake up to get on the road, the low will be a thing of the past, leaving only a shallow lee trough, which may aid in the development of some fog in the wee hours. After we get to the higher terrain in South Carolina, and then head through north Georgia in the daylight, we will only be concerned with traffic and the sun shining in our eyes. All in all, Saturday will be the better day to travel this weekend.
