Bundle up, North Carolina. Temperatures across the state this weekend are set to plummet to record lows that haven’t been seen since the late 90s in many parts of the state. And it’s not just the night time lows that will have you reaching for another layer of clothing; the daytime highs won’t be much better.
All across the east coast, the National Weather Service is issuing advisories — especially for those in the Northeast. But the cold air is also crossing the Southern Appalachians — including North Carolina.
It's all due to a polar vortex that's been spinning over the North Pole, collecting enormous amounts of cold air and low pressure. And now, that polar vortex is on the move.
The National Weather Service predicts normal temperatures for the second weekend in May to be off by as many as 12 to 15 degrees. That may seem like a small deviance, but for this weekend, it means many places across the state can expect frigidly cold temps, day and night.
In the mountains with elevations above 5,000 feet, temperatures could fall into the teens. Elevations above 4,000 feet will likely experience temperatures in the mid 20s overnight and in the low 40s during the day. Snow is also a possibility for elevations higher than 4,000 feet.
(It snowed on Beech Mountain Wednesday night; I saw it with my own eyes.)
You may want to go ahead and reschedule any yard work you may have been planning for the next week, because the low temps could hang around until at least Tuesday. And for sure, keep an eye on local temperature forecasts for the next 4-5 days to determine if you should cover any plants you've already placed for the season.
It's not good news for those who've planned a nice outdoor picnic to celebrate Mother's Day. But who's more flexible on the fly than Mom? Bundle up and take a hike instead.
If it seems like every year there’s that one, last blast of cold air each spring… then let’s hope this is that last blast for North Carolina!
What are your Mother’s Day plans? We’d love to know what creative and touching ways you’re finding to celebrate Mom in the middle of a global pandemic. Feel free to join the discussion and let us know!
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