First Alert: Dry today before expected Thursday showers; snow, cooler temperatures likely Friday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Today will be pretty mild by January standards. Under partly cloudy skies, afternoon readings will reach the middle 50s.

Mild temps today
Cold air returns
First Alert for winter weather Friday/ Friday night

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Spotty showers are possible tonight with lows only falling back to near 40 degrees.

Following another cold start, we'll rebound nicely this afternoon under partly cloudy skies. Readings in the mountains will top out in the mid-upper 40s for #CLT & the Piedmont making a run into the mid-upper 50s, well above average for January. @wbtv_news #NCwx #SCwx #CLTwx pic.twitter.com/gqy55Xek2X
— Al Conklin WBTV (@AlConklin) January 19, 2022

A cold front will move this way on Thursday. Showers are possible through the day before the front moves through in the evening. There could be a few high elevation snow showers Thursday as colder air rushes in behind the front.

Chances for rain and snow are in the mix for the next few days. — Chances for rain and snow are in the mix for the next few days.(Source: WBTV)

Highs will be in the upper 40s Thursday. It will be much colder by Friday morning, with daybreak readings in the mid 20s. That means cold air will be in place as the next round of precipitation moves in during the day.

Our next First Alert will be Friday and Friday night. The high on Friday will be close to freezing. Snow is likely for the WBTV viewing area. However, this time, the storm will be farther east.

FIRST ALERT: Spotty rain Thursday along a cold front that will usher in much colder air for Friday. Snow - some sleet S/E of I-85 - will develop Friday & not taper down until Sat. morning. Several inches, but not as heavy in mts & foothills as last storm. #NCwx #SCwx #CLTwx pic.twitter.com/a92Pk48vkd
— Al Conklin WBTV (@AlConklin) January 19, 2022

The snow bullseye will be over central and eastern NC. That means the biggest impacts won’t be in the typical places. The highest accumulations will end up being in our eastern counties. The early call on the snow forecast for an inch or two in the mountains with two to four inches across the Foothills and Piedmont.

Here's our snow outlook for Friday into Friday night. — Here's our snow outlook for Friday into Friday night.(Source: WBTV)

The best chance for sleet to mix in will be south/east of Interstate 85. Freezing rain does appear to be a factor in the Pee Dee River Valley, but not near Charlotte.

We will quickly dry out on Saturday, but we won’t warm up much. Highs will only reach the upper 30s under partly sunny skies. Sunday will be a sunny one with highs in the mid to upper 40s.

As of now, next week will get a quiet start. Highs will be in the mid to upper 40s with sunshine on Monday.

Make it a great day!

Chief Meteorologist Al Conklin

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