Charlotte is starting Friday warm and only getting hotter. By 5:40 a.m. EDT today, Charlotte Douglas was already sitting near 64°F, and forecasters expect temperatures to rocket into the upper 80s. If the city hits the projected high around 88°F, it would set a new late-March record at the local climate site. A cold front sweeps in late Friday, bringing a brief shot at evening showers before much gustier, drier air settles in for Saturday.
This Afternoon
Skies stay mostly sunny, with a high near 88°F and southwest winds around 10 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. That kind of heat is unusually strong for late March and could nudge Charlotte past the March 27 record of 85°F at KCLT, according to the National Weather Service.
Friday Night Into Saturday
Late Friday brings a slight chance of showers and a few thunderstorms, most likely between about 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., but any rainfall should be on the light side. As the front passes, winds swing around to the north-northwest Friday night and turn gusty, with gusts up to 30 mph.
Saturday flips the script: much cooler air moves in, with a high near 61°F and sustained north-northeast breezes around 10 to 17 mph, gusting up to 31 mph. The bigger story may be the dryness, with afternoon relative humidity likely dropping into the low to mid teens in some areas.
Fire Weather Watch And What It Means
The National Weather Service has posted a Fire Weather Watch for the South Carolina Upstate and northeast Georgia on Saturday, as very dry air paired with gusty winds could help fires spread quickly. State forestry officials note that existing dry fuels only add to the concern. Residents are urged to check local burn rules and closures and to avoid open burning anywhere under a watch. For official guidance, see the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
How To Prepare
Hold off on any planned pile burns or outdoor burning, and tie down or move inside loose patio furniture and other lightweight items before the winds crank up. Drivers should be ready for sudden gusts on the road Saturday morning.
If you have Friday evening plans, expect mild conditions, just a small chance of a quick passing shower, and no widespread travel impacts from the rain. Outdoor workers may want to front-load more demanding tasks for today or early Friday evening instead of Saturday afternoon, when the combination of wind and dry air will be less forgiving.
Looking Ahead
After the cooler, breezy weekend, temperatures bounce back next week. Highs should reach around 76°F on Monday, March 30, then climb into the 80s on Tuesday and Wednesday as humidity gradually returns and afternoon storm chances slowly tick up. Anyone with outdoor plans beyond the weekend should keep an eye on updated forecasts.
