News

Arthur brings perfect weather for Fourth of July

By Bill Moss, Published: July 2, 2014

If vacationers headed to the beach are keeping a wary eye on Tropical Storm Arthur, folks in the mountains have nothing to fear. In fact, by helping to draw a cool air mass across the mountains, the season's first tropical system is a big reason we'll see sunny dry weather over the Fourth of July weekend — perfect for camping, hiking, cookouts and fireworks.

Officials were expected to issue a hurricane watch for the North Carolina coast today as Tropical Storm Arthur churned up the coast and strengthened. For us, the storm will bring no moisture, "not this far west," said Neil Dixon, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Greer, S.C. "It should be drying out on the Fourth of July weekend across the mountains. In fact, the morning lows over this holiday weekend look quite comfortable for this time of year, especially across the mountains, where could see lows in the upper 50s both Saturday and Sunday morning.
"It appears that temperatures are going to a little bit below normal especially in the morning and highs may top out within 2 to 3 degrees. The good news is we are expecting for the most part dry weather. In fact, the humidity each afternoon is going to make it feel quite comfortable."
The humidity should top out in the 40s, versus the normal range of the 60s, Dixon said.
"Arthur is helping to draw the cold front further to east and draw this canadian air mass across the mountains," he said.
Highs Thursday should reach 81 with a 30 percent chance of rain. Friday, the Fourth, should be sunny with a high of 81. Saturday and Sunday should bring sunny and dry days, with a high around 80 and a low in the upper 50s to lower 60s.