Coolest Morning in Months? Parts of the Region Could Reach the Mid-40s

After several days of clouds, rain and temperatures stuck well below normal, a different kind of cool weather is about to arrive across the region.

The rain is finally moving out, skies will clear, and much drier air will settle across Rowan, Davie, Davidson and Cabarrus counties. That combination could set the stage for some of the coolest overnight temperatures we have experienced in months.

By Friday night into Saturday morning, parts of the region could fall into the mid-40s.

A Chilly Start to Saturday

Here are the current forecast lows for Friday night:

Rowan County: 46°

Davie County: 46°

Davidson County: 45°

Cabarrus County: 48°

Davidson County currently has the best opportunity to reach the mid-40s, but sheltered and normally cooler locations elsewhere across the region could also dip a little lower than the official forecast.

This will be a very different kind of cool compared with what we have experienced over the past several days.

The recent cool temperatures have largely been the result of cold air damming, with clouds, rain and drizzle keeping afternoon temperatures suppressed. By this weekend, the cool weather will instead come with clear skies and a much drier air mass.

Some of the Coolest Air Since Spring

The incoming air mass could produce some of the coolest morning temperatures the region has experienced since early June, and potentially since mid-May in some locations.

That doesn't mean unusually cold weather is settling in for an extended period. Instead, conditions will be nearly ideal for temperatures to fall efficiently overnight.

Much lower humidity, mostly clear skies and relatively light winds will allow temperatures to drop quickly after sunset Friday.

For anyone heading outside early Saturday morning, it may finally be time to grab a jacket.

Beautiful Fall Weather Follows

Despite the chilly mornings, afternoons will warm nicely under abundant sunshine.

Saturday afternoon highs are forecast to reach around 77° to 79° across Rowan, Davie, Davidson and Cabarrus counties. Sunday should be similarly pleasant, with highs generally in the upper 70s to around 80°.

Rain chances will also disappear after today's lingering showers move out.

That means the weekend is shaping up to feature plenty of sunshine, low humidity, cool mornings and comfortable afternoons — about as close to classic early-fall weather as we can ask for in late September.

The Cool Spell Won't Last Forever

Temperatures will begin climbing again early next week.

Monday afternoon highs should reach the upper 70s to lower 80s across the region. Additional warming is expected during the middle of next week as winds eventually become more southerly and moisture begins returning.

So while Saturday morning may have you reaching for a jacket, don't pack away the warmer-weather clothes just yet.

For now, enjoy the change.

After several gray and damp days, we're about to trade the rain and clouds for crisp mornings, sunshine and a beautiful late-September weekend across the region.