Fall Mornings, Summer Afternoons: The 80s Aren’t Going Anywhere Next Week

If you step outside early this weekend, it may finally feel like fall has settled into the region. But don't let those cool mornings fool you — the afternoons are about to tell a very different story.

Rowan, Davie, Davidson and Cabarrus counties are beginning the weekend with plenty of sunshine, comfortable afternoon temperatures and some of the coolest overnight readings we've seen in a while. By the middle of next week, however, temperatures will be climbing back into the mid-80s.

A Crisp Start to the Weekend

Saturday will feature abundant sunshine across the region with afternoon highs ranging from the upper 70s to lower 80s.

The more noticeable taste of fall arrives after sunset.

Tonight's forecast lows include:

• Rowan County: 50°
• Davie County: 50°
• Davidson County: 47°
• Cabarrus County: 50°

Davidson County could dip into the upper 40s, while much of the rest of the region settles near 50 degrees.

Sunday starts cool again before temperatures recover quickly under another day of sunshine. Afternoon highs should reach around 80° in Davidson and Davie counties, 81° in Rowan County and 82° in Cabarrus County.

Then the Warmup Begins

The cooler air won't stick around for long.

Temperatures begin climbing Monday and continue upward Tuesday and Wednesday as upper-level ridging builds across the Southeast.

By Tuesday, forecast highs reach 84° in Davie County, 85° in Rowan and Davidson counties, and 86° in Cabarrus County.

Wednesday looks very similar, with widespread mid-80s continuing across the region.

That means some locations could go from overnight temperatures in the upper 40s this weekend to afternoon temperatures in the mid-80s just a few days later.

Nights Will Get Warmer, Too

The warming trend won't be limited to the afternoons.

After lows around 47° to 50° tonight, nighttime temperatures gradually climb through the upcoming week.

By Wednesday night, forecast lows range from around 60° in Davie County to 62° in Cabarrus County, with Rowan and Davidson counties around 61°.

Those crisp, fall-like mornings we're enjoying this weekend will become noticeably milder as the week progresses.

What About Rain?

For now, this remains a very dry forecast.

High pressure will dominate the weather pattern across the region through much of the upcoming week, keeping sunshine plentiful and rain chances extremely limited.

There are some indications that moisture could eventually begin returning late next week or next weekend, but there is still considerable uncertainty about the timing.

Some forecast guidance tries to bring rain chances back as early as Friday, while other guidance keeps the region dry longer. At this point, there isn't enough confidence to make late-week rain a significant part of the forecast.

The Bottom Line

Enjoy the cool mornings while they're here.

This weekend will provide a nice taste of fall with sunshine, comfortable afternoons and chilly mornings. But as we head toward October, the atmosphere isn't quite ready to completely let go of warmer weather.

By Tuesday and Wednesday, afternoon temperatures will once again reach the mid-80s across much of the region.

Fall may be showing itself during the mornings, but summer-like warmth still has something to say during the afternoons.