JEFFERSON, N.C. — The first real freeze of the fall settled over North Carolina’s northern mountains early Sunday, the coldest point of a sharp weekend chill before the state slides into a dry and more comfortable week.
A National Weather Service freeze warning ran overnight into Sunday morning, ending at 9 a.m., for Ashe and Avery, where lows were forecast to dip near 28 degrees. A frost advisory over the same window covered Burke and Caldwell, with readings possible down to 36 degrees.
Forecasters cautioned that temperatures that low can kill crops and tender plants left uncovered and can damage outdoor pipes that are not protected.
The cold arrived behind a strong front that swept the state this weekend. Saturday highs in the Charlotte area only reached the 60s, roughly 25 degrees below Friday, which followed the latest 90-degree day ever recorded in that city.
Relief comes quickly. After two mornings in the 30s, lows climb back into the 40s by midweek, and mostly sunny afternoons warm into the 70s across much of the state.
The flip side is very little rain. The Climate Prediction Center outlook leans dry and warm through the end of October, which could push back the first frost in the Piedmont Triad and deepen drought. Rain from Isaias ended exceptional drought in the northern Piedmont, but severe to extreme drought remains in the central Triad and along the Virginia line.
Along the coast, a low spinning offshore is still the main weather concern for travel to the Outer Banks, and it could keep inland areas breezy through Tuesday.
Filed under: Raleigh NC Weather News
