6 Days Out: What the Latest Data Says About the May 17 Forecast

We’re now just six days away from the 2025 Cheerwine Festival, and the forecast continues to hold steady. If you're planning your trip to downtown Salisbury on Saturday, May 17, here’s what the latest data is showing and why forecast confidence is growing.

Still Warm and Seasonally Typical
Temperatures are trending consistently in the low to mid 80s for next Saturday. Humidity is expected to rise heading into the weekend, but this is typical for mid-May and no major heatwave is on the table.

Expect a warm, partly sunny day, with dry conditions likely in the morning and early afternoon.

Pop-Up Showers or Storms Still Possible in the Afternoon
The models continue to suggest the potential for isolated, heat-driven showers or storms in the late afternoon to early evening window. This is a common pattern for this time of year in central North Carolina.

At this point, nothing widespread or long-lasting is expected. Think "umbrella just in case," not "washout."

Why Confidence Is Growing
Forecast models are in solid agreement on:

• High pressure anchoring over the Southeast

• Limited upper-level support for organized storms

• Moisture return that's enough for isolated activity, but not widespread rain

This setup often leads to dry mornings and warm, pop-up driven afternoons, just like we’ve seen during past Cheerwine Festivals.

Next Steps: Full Forecast Coverage Begins Monday
Beginning Monday, May 12, Rowan County Weather will roll out daily festival-specific updates with:

• Hourly outlooks

• Rain and storm timing

• Radar updates

• Heat index and air quality guidance

Steve Monday will also coordinate with the City of Salisbury, Cheerwine, Downtown Salisbury Inc., and Rowan County Emergency Management to ensure public safety and preparedness.

Bottom Line
With six days to go, we’re looking at a classic May setup for the 2025 Cheerwine Festival:

• Warm and partly sunny

• Humid, but manageable

• A chance of a brief afternoon pop-up

Stay tuned to Rowan County Weather for reliable, local updates all week long.