Winston-Salem, North Carolina 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

316
FXUS62 KRAH 211830
AFDRAH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
230 PM EDT Tue Apr 21 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...

* Increased Fire Danger statement has been issued for central NC
  on Wednesday.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
As of 230 PM Tuesday...

1) Increased Fire Danger present in central North Carolina on
Wednesday.

2) Temperatures will be above normal into the weekend, before
dropping to near normal into the next week. The forecast is dry
through Friday night, with a chance of rain by the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
As of 230 PM Tuesday...

KEY MESSAGE 1... Increased Fire Danger present in central North
Carolina on Wednesday.

A surface low will move across the Great Lakes today, and the
associated fronts will remain to the north of the region tomorrow.
However, a surface trough will move across Virginia and North
Carolina Wednesday afternoon, bringing a slight wind shift, an
increase in wind gusts, and a band of clouds along the VA/NC border.
Considering how dry the air will be in the lowest mile of the
atmosphere, do not expect any precipitation to reach the ground.
However, with mixing up to 700 mb, gusts as high as 25 mph, and
afternoon relative humidity values as low as 20%, combined with
already dry fuels from the ongoing drought, this will result in
increased fire danger across all of central North Carolina. A
statement has been issued after coordination with the North Carolina
Fire Service. Once the trough moves through the region, the wind
will slacken, lowering the threat of fires due to weather conditions
for the next several days.


KEY MESSAGE 2... Temperatures will be above normal into the weekend,
before dropping to near normal into the next week. The forecast is
dry through Friday night, with a chance of rain by the weekend.

High pressure will dominate the Southeast on Thursday and Friday. By
Saturday, another surface low will move across the Great Lakes,
bringing a chance of rain to much of the East Coast. One opportunity
for rain will come Saturday into Saturday night, while another front
is expected to approach from the west on Tuesday. There are still
differences with models in the timing and amounts of rainfall. Each
of these systems could bring up to a quarter inch of rain to the
area, but this will do little to overcome the long-term rainfall
deficit.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 130 PM Tuesday...

VFR conditions will prevail through the 24 hour TAF period. This
afternoon, expect light surface winds with generally southerly winds
through the overnight period. A 30-35 kt southwesterly low level jet
looks to move just to our north tonight, which could allow for brief
periods of light LLWS tonight in the north. Otherwise, tomorrow
afternoon expect southwesterly winds to gust to around 18-24kts
starting shortly after sunrise.

Outlook: Dry weather and VFR conditions are generally expected to
persist through the work week. Virga and/or very light rain will be
possible around and north of RWI tomorrow afternoon with a cold
front, but no restrictions are expected. The next best chance for
rain and associated restrictions returns on Saturday.

&&

.RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Green
AVIATION...LH