Charlotte starts this Friday on a gray note, sitting around 55°F with clouds parked overhead and a high near 71°F expected this afternoon. Skies stay mostly cloudy, but the real action holds off until late tonight when rain pushes back into the region and hangs around into Saturday morning.
Most of Friday looks dry for work, school, and early evening plans. After about 11 p.m., though, showers become likely and could turn steady right around the Saturday morning commute. Plan on wet roads and some patchy fog. Rainfall totals will generally land in the few-tenths-of-an-inch range, but a few neighborhoods could squeeze out as much as three-quarters of an inch.
What To Expect Tonight Into Saturday
Rain showers are most likely to get going after 11 p.m. tonight, ramping up toward the pre-dawn and early morning hours on Saturday before easing by midday. According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, the best odds for a steady, soaking rain come in those early hours, with new rainfall totals commonly between a tenth and three-quarters of an inch. Patchy fog is also on the table for Saturday morning.
Overnight lows should hover near 50°F, nudging into the mid-50s ahead of the morning rain. North-northeast winds may get a bit feisty during the morning rush, with gusts potentially topping out in the upper teens as the system works through.
Weekend Outlook And Early Week
Saturday will feel like a step down from today's mild setup, with a noticeably cooler high near 59°F and a chilly Saturday night low around 43°F. The payoff comes Sunday, when skies clear and temperatures rebound toward the upper 60s.
The warmup does not stop there. Early next week brings a more springlike feel, with highs climbing into the upper 70s to around 80°F by Tuesday. Another front could trigger a chance of showers and thunderstorms by Wednesday, although forecast confidence drops with that midweek system. If you are planning outdoor events, Sunday or later in the week still looks like the safer bet.
Travel And Outdoor Tips
If your weekend plans lean outdoors, try to shift anything scheduled for early Saturday to Sunday, or at least have a backup option under a roof. Most outdoor activities should be fine by midday Saturday or on Sunday once the rain exits and things start to dry out.
For drivers, give yourself extra time on Saturday morning. Expect slick roads, lower visibility in patchy fog, and slower traffic on ramps and bridges. Keep an umbrella close and treat that green light with a little extra respect when the pavement is wet.
Related Coverage
This updates the quick hit of rain highlighted yesterday, which flagged the incoming system. Today's outlook tightens the timing for late Friday night into Saturday morning and spells out the likely Saturday morning impacts a bit more clearly.
