From 72° to the 40s: Why Rowan County’s Temperature Is About to Swing 25 Degrees

If you have plans this weekend, get ready for a true spring preview.

Rowan County is expected to climb into the low 70s Sunday — about 10 to 15 degrees above normal for this time of year.

But by Monday afternoon, highs may struggle to reach the upper 40s.

That’s a temperature swing of more than 20–25 degrees in less than 24 hours.

So what’s about to happen?

Why Sunday Will Feel So Warm

Over the weekend, weak high pressure will build overhead while winds turn westerly. That will allow warmer air to move into the Carolinas along with increasing sunshine.

With the late February sun angle getting stronger and dry air in place, temperatures should respond quickly.

Sunday is expected to feel more like early April than late winter.

What Changes Sunday Night

Sunday night, a strong area of high pressure will begin sliding into the Northeast United States.

As that happens, winds across the Carolinas will shift to the northeast.

That wind direction matters.

Instead of pulling in warm air, we’ll begin drawing in cooler air from the north. At the same time, moisture will increase ahead of an approaching system.

That combination sets the stage for something very familiar to the Piedmont.

Cold Air Damming May Return

This setup supports Cold Air Damming (CAD), often called “the wedge.”

Cool, dense air can get trapped east of the mountains and wedge southward into North Carolina. Because cold air is heavier, it hugs the surface and can be stubborn to scour out.

That’s why temperatures on Monday could run 20–25 degrees colder than Sunday.

Cloud cover is expected to increase, rain chances return Monday afternoon, and the overall feel will shift back toward late winter.

Should We Be Concerned About Wintry Weather?

Right now, confidence remains low.

Some forecast models suggest just enough cold air could be in place early Tuesday for a brief wintry mix, especially around sunrise.

Other models keep most of the precipitation north of us.

At this point:
• Precipitation amounts look light
• Surface temperatures appear marginal
• Confidence is not high enough for concern

But it is something we’ll continue to monitor closely.

The Bottom Line

Sunday: Spring preview in the low 70s.
Monday: Back to the 40s with clouds and rain chances.

A 25-degree swing in 24 hours.

That’s late winter in North Carolina.

Stay with Rowan County Weather as we continue refining the early week forecast.