Weather whiplash: Carolinas' 40-degree temperature plunge to rebound through Easter weekend
After Thursday's unseasonably warm temperatures about 10 to 20 degrees above average, a strong cold front will move through Friday. This will send temperatures tumbling nearly 40 degrees.
Carolinas look at unseasonably cold air this weekend
Chilly air expected to persist in the Carolinas this weekend. Charlotte, North Carolina is looking at its coldest high temperature for the month of April since 2007.
A sharp shift in the weather pattern heading to the Carolinas through the Easter weekend might have you feeling like weather whiplash as a classic cold-air damming setup takes shape.
After Thursday's unseasonably warm temperatures reaching about 10 to 20 degrees above average, a strong cold front will move through Friday. This will send temperatures tumbling nearly 40 degrees.
"Those of you that live across the South, I mean, it is going to feel just downright cold," FOX Weather meteorologist Jason Frazer said. "We do not anticipate ever seeing temperatures in the 40s (this time of year), and, unfortunately, for many of you, you're going to end up seeing the 40s by (Saturday)."
PATTERN SHIFT TO USHER IN COAST-TO-COAST WEATHER CHANGES FROM EASTER WEEKEND INTO NEXT WEEK
(FOX Weather)
The FOX Forecast Center said high temperatures Saturday would indeed be well below average, hanging in the 40s and 50s, as strong area of high pressure over the Great Lakes will send continued cooler air into the Carolinas.
(FOX Weather)
The Appalachian Mountains will act as a dam, or a block, allowing the chilly air to build and persist over the region. This is known as cold-air damming, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
This pattern also keeps steady rain in the forecast, and totals could reach up to 2 to 3 inches in some spots before things begin to clear out early next week.
(FOX Weather)
The chill is short-lived though, with warmer temperatures returning Sunday.
"By Easter Sunday … we are finally going to end up seeing temperatures rebound," Frazer said. "We're also going to see the sky end up clearing out here."