‘Widespread freezing’ targets western NC, with lows in the teens, forecasters say

A frigid air mass out of Canada is headed toward the South, prompting forecasters to predict highs in the 20s and lows in the teens in parts of western North Carolina.

Temperatures will begin to fall late Sunday, Nov 9, and should bottom out before dawn on Tuesday, the National Weather Service says.

The cold will also extend well into central North Carolina, with Charlotte expected to see a low of 28 degrees Monday night, while Raleigh could hit 31 degrees, experts say.

“Temperatures will feel more like mid-December or even Christmastime in many places by next week,” AccuWeather lead long-range meteorologist Paul Pastelok said in a news release.

“This will be the first taste of wintry weather for millions from this weekend to early next week, with a dramatic temperature drop and blustery winds.”

Mountain communities like Banner Elk, Asheville and Mount Mitchell will see temperatures from 17 degrees to 21 degrees after sunset Monday.

Snow chances are limited to areas along the North Carolina-Tennessee state line, while the rest of the state will see “abnormally dry conditions,” experts say.

The low humidity combine with wind gusts early next week has heightened the possibility of wildfires in the Central and Northern Mountains and the Piedmont, the National Weather Service says.

Temperatures will begin a slow rise midweek, with highs in the 60s expected in mountain towns like Asheville, AccuWeather says.