WNC -- September 20, 2026: Summer is holding on for one final stretch before a cold front pushes south and locks in a seasonal cold air damming wedge right on cue for the autumnal equinox. According to the latest guidance from Ray’s Weather, warm and humid conditions will give way to cloudy skies, scattered rain, and notably cooler, fall-like air across the mountains as the week unfolds.
Monday: Areas of morning valley fog give way to partly sunny skies. Valley highs reach the mid-80s, while remaining warm and humid. Scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms develop along and ahead of the approaching boundary, with a few storms capable of being on the stronger side. Overnight lows hold around 62° across the valleys.
Tuesday (First Day of Fall): Autumn officially arrives with increasing cloud cover and cooler afternoon conditions. Daytime highs top out near 79° to 80°. Scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms remain in play as the front edges through. Tuesday night turns cloudy with occasional rain and mountain fog developing as lows dip to 62°.
Wednesday: The seasonal transition takes full effect with overcast skies, occasional rain, mountain fog, and noticeably cooler air as the cool wedge settles in. Highs struggle to climb out of the 60s in the valleys (and upper 50s at higher elevations), with overnight lows dropping into the upper 50s.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy conditions linger with occasional showers, particularly early in the day. Afternoon highs remain seasonably cool near 70°, followed by gradual clearing overnight as temperatures fall into the 50s.
Friday and the Weekend: The mountain wedge slowly begins to break up, allowing for drier intervals and peeks of sunshine. Expect daytime highs in the low 70s and crisp mountain nights.
For detailed local mountain forecasts and radar updates, check out Ray’s Weather.