Forecast Last Updated at Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 11:12AM

Sunny/Hot Afternoon; Fall Preview This Weekend

Sunny skies continue today with hot temperatures. Friday will be much the same, with just a few more late-day clouds around. Holiday weekend weather looks nothing short of spectacular, with a fresh Canadian air mass to greet us for Saturday.

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Thursday Hi: 92 Lo: 65 Sunny and hot; Light wind

Friday Hi: 93 Lo: 62 A few afternoon clouds; Continued hot in the afternoon; NW wind 5-15 mph

Saturday Hi: 81 Lo: 54 Deep blue skies with a few clouds; Pleasantly cooler; NW breeze 5-15 mph

Sunday Hi: 81 Lo: 55 Bright sunshine; Nice

Monday Hi: 85 Lo: 59 Sunny for Labor Day; Warmer

Further Out

Tuesday - Sunny; Warm; High in the upper 80s; Low in the lower 60s
Wednesday - Sunny; Rather hot afternoon; High near 90 degrees; Low in the lower 60s

Forecast Discussion

Hurricane Earl: Earl is a category four hurricane that is located a few hundred miles south of the NC Outer Banks this morning. Earl is expected to pass just east of the Outer Banks overnight bringing a glancing shot of strong winds/heavy rain to immediate coastal areas.

Here in the western part of the state, we'll feel no effects from Earl, but instead see sunny skies again today with a repeat of the hot temperatures that we've experienced this week. On Friday, a cold front will be pushing late in the day with just a few clouds, but no expected rainfall east of the mountains.

The big story will be much cooler air for the weekend behind the front. You're really going to feel the difference, and it's going to set up a fabulous Labor Day weekend for outdoor activities. Those refreshing nighttime temperatures will really make it feel like football weather!

Elsewhere in the tropical Atlantic... Fiona will remain no more than a tropical storm moving north and passing near Bermuda Friday night. Tropical storm Gaston formed yesterday in the Central Atlantic it will gradually strengthen as it moves WNW toward the northeastern Caribbean--possibly next week's issue in the Caribbean. Yet another tropical wave in the Cape Verde Parade moved off the African coast yesterday.

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