‘Hard freeze’ from ‘polar air mass’ blankets Charlotte and the mountains, NWS says
A “hard freeze” from a “polar air mass” descended on Charlotte, the North Carolina mountains and Upstate South Carolina overnight and could last for days, National Weather Service meteorologists said Saturday.
Overnight low temperatures could remain in the mid- to low 20s through the middle of the week in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties, according to the NWS Charlotte forecast at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Temperatures on Saturday were 10 to 20 degrees below normal for this time of year across the Charlotte region, mountains and Upstate SC, the NWS office in Greer, South Carolina, said on the social media site X.
“Higher elevations in the mountains, generally above 3,500 feet, will experience an extended period of below freezing temperatures through Tuesday night,” according to the NWS alert. “Elsewhere across the area, a hard freeze is likely each morning.”
At 5,280-foot Grandfather Mountain, the NWS reported 65-mph gusts and a minus-20 wind chill at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. The temperature was 8 degrees.
“Bundle up!” NWS meteorologists said on X. “If you’re heading out, plan for an extra layer — winter seems to be making an early appearance!”
Wear mittens or gloves, dress in layers and keep your pets safe from the frigid temps, NWS forecasters advised.
Charlotte forecast: Frigid temps to linger
Fortunately, skies should remain sunny and dry in the Charlotte area, forecasters said.
And temperatures are predicted to gradually rise later in the week, the forecast showed.
In Charlotte, the temperature was 35 degrees at 9 a.m. Saturday and was expected to reach only 48 degrees later in the day. The NWS predicts highs of 52 on Sunday, 44 on Monday, 43 on Tuesday, 50 on Wednesday, 59 on Thursday and 51 on Friday.
NWS meteorologists predict lows of 28 early Sunday, 27 early Monday, 23 early Tuesday and Wednesday, 37 early Thursday and 34 early Friday.
The historic average high temperature for Nov. 29 in Charlotte is 76 degrees, and the historic average low is 33, according to the NWS.
Rock Hill forecast
After an expected high of 49 on Saturday, Rock Hill could see highs of 53 on Sunday, 45 on Monday, 43 on Tuesday, 50 on Wednesday, 60 on Thursday and 52 on Friday, according to the NWS.
Lows are forecast at 25 early Sunday, 26 early Monday, 22 early Tuesday and early Wednesday, 36 early Thursday and 34 early Friday.
This story was originally published November 29, 2024 at 1:05 PM.