GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Temperatures soar to near-record levels Saturday before a dramatic shift ushers in arctic air and dangerous wind chills by Tuesday.
Record-Breaking Heat Saturday
Saturday brings a dramatic turnaround. Mostly sunny skies and diminishing winds create ideal conditions for near-record highs across the region. Temperatures climb into the lower to mid-70s in the Upstate with the mountain reaching the upper 60s to the low 70s as well.
Greenville has best shot at tying or breaking the record highs Saturday afternoon. The previous record for December 27 stands at 75°F.
Spotty Rain Sunday, Gusty Winds Develop
Sunday turns cooler as high pressure builds in from the north. Cold-air damming develops briefly, increasing cloud cover and creating the potential for spotty light rain — though any precipitation amounts remain minimal. Highs still stay roughly 5 to 10 degrees above normal topping out in the upper 50 to low 60s.
Gusty southwest winds develop Sunday night ahead of a robust cold front, gradually turning northwest Monday. Wind gusts reach 25 to 35 mph frequently, with speeds potentially reaching advisory criteria above 3,500 feet by Monday afternoon.
First Alert: Cold Front Brings Rain and Snow Monday
A powerful cold front moves through Monday afternoon and evening, increasing rain chances for the Upstate and a wintry mix chances over higher elevations. Moisture increases ahead of the front, particularly across the mountains Sunday night into Monday morning.
Expect minimal precipitation overall — up to 0.25 inches across the mountains and 0.1 inches or less elsewhere. Rain tapers off by Monday evening, with a brief period of northwest flow snow possible over higher elevations. Even the northernmost mountain locations see no more than an inch of snow.
Gusty winds persist over the mountains Monday night and into Tuesday, while diminishing elsewhere.
Arctic Air and Dangerous Wind Chills Tuesday Through New Year’s
The coldest air of the season arrives Tuesday, combining gusty winds with frigid temperatures to produce dangerous wind chills. The North Carolina mountains face the most severe conditions, with wind chills dropping into the single digits to the teens and below zero for the highest elevations.
Dry surface high pressure builds in behind the departing cold front Monday night into Tuesday, lingering through mid-week. Gusty winds continue over the mountains Tuesday, especially across the northern NC mountains, before tapering off by Tuesday afternoon.
Temperatures gradually rebound through Thursday but remain below normal for most locations through the rest of the week.
What You Need to Do
- Saturday: Enjoy the warmth, but remember it won’t last.
- Sunday-Monday: Plan for wet conditions Monday. If you’re traveling, be aware of rain and gusty winds.
- Tuesday onward: Bundle up. Protect pets and outdoor equipment from the cold. Check on elderly neighbors and those without adequate heating.
Stay with us for updates as this system moves through…