| Correspondent
The Cape Fear region will enjoy a pleasant weekend, with slightly cooler conditions for Thanksgiving travel.
But will we see any decent rainfall?
So far this November, Fayetteville has picked up a quarter-inch of rain — about 15% of the monthly average — and there’s not much to indicate the region will see much more until after Thanksgiving. As a result, only isolated patches of North Carolina have received normal rainfall since October.
Look for some slim chances of light rain through the next week, but there’s nothing resembling widespread relief on the horizon.
Here’s the setup
A generally zonal flow in the upper atmosphere, along with surges of dry northwest wind, have created a moisture shortfall in the atmosphere. Even when frontal boundaries arrive, there’s little to no moisture to work with.
This pattern should continue through the next week. The upside is a pleasant weekend in Fayetteville, with highs on Friday climbing into the mid-70s. There’s a chance some spots in the region could flirt with 80 degrees Saturday.
The weekend
Light, widely scattered showers are possible Saturday morning as another front arrives. How much rain depends on how much moisture is available. Clouds will move out later in the day with some brisk winds swinging around to the north overnight. Look for a high of 78 in Fayetteville, lows near 50.
Sunday will be clearing, with more seasonal highs across the region.Fayetteville will hold at about 65 with a low in the mid-40s.
Next week
Temperatures rebound with highs on Monday in the upper 60s, then low 70s for Tuesday. A weak impulse is expected to pass Tuesday night, with a slight chance of rainfall.
Thanksgiving outlook
Travel around the Carolinas will be pleasant. Wednesday’s high will reach 70 or so in Fayetteville, with no sign of rain or morning fog. Turkey Day itself should be partly cloudy with a high in the low 60s.
Friday into Saturday, modeling is hinting at a return of showers in the Carolinas along a frontal boundary. Behind that, much cooler temperatures arrive. Fayetteville may not get out of the 40s.
Got a weather question? Chick Jacobs can be reached at ncweatherhund@gmail.com or NCWeatherhound on X/Twitter.
