Graduation Forecast Update: Wet Weather Concerns Increasing for Saturday Ceremonies

Graduation weekend is almost here across Rowan County and surrounding areas, but the latest forecast trends continue pointing toward a wet and unsettled weather pattern for Saturday, May 23rd.

At this point, confidence is increasing that showers will be around at times throughout much of the day, with thunderstorms becoming more likely during the afternoon and evening hours.

Saturday’s forecast currently calls for:

• Showers likely throughout the day
• Thunderstorms possible after 2 PM
• High temperatures near 75 degrees
• Rain chances near 100%

Saturday night also remains unsettled with additional showers and thunderstorms expected before gradually decreasing later overnight. Temperatures will fall into the lower 60s.

While this does not currently appear to be an all-day severe weather event, several rounds of rain and thunderstorms could create interruptions or delays for outdoor graduation ceremonies and celebrations.

One of the biggest forecast challenges continues to be timing. Not every location will see rain continuously all day long, but periods of rainfall and thunderstorms are expected to develop and redevelop across the region as a cooler wedge pattern settles into the Carolinas.

Families attending outdoor ceremonies should prepare for:

• Wet grounds and muddy conditions
• Delays due to lightning in the area
• Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall
• Cooler temperatures compared to earlier this week

The good news is that this wetter pattern may finally begin helping drought conditions that have continued across much of the western Piedmont in recent weeks.

Rowan County Weather will continue monitoring forecast trends closely over the next couple of days and will provide additional graduation forecast updates as timing details become clearer.

Students, parents, and families planning to attend ceremonies Saturday are encouraged to have rain gear ready and keep checking back for updates as we move closer to the weekend.