Weather Permitting: Got plans? Here's what you can expect in Fayetteville this weekend

The Cape Fear region roasted in June.

We dang near drowned in July and early August.

It's only fitting, then, that we wrap up summer with one of the most pleasant August stretches Fayetteville has seen in quite some time.

When was the last time we saw a week in August with temperatures holding in the 80s? That's what we're looking at this weekend into next week. As an added bonus, the current pattern is also keeping Hurricane Ernesto well offshore — though rip currents will be a threat for any beach-goers.

Here's the setup

High pressure continues to hold over the Carolinas this week, with a northwest flow keeping dew points comfortable. The high will drift east over the next few days, forcing Hurricane Ernesto east, as well.

The change from last week's tropical moisture and rainfall is striking. PWAT (potential rainfall) levels are well below normal for mid-August, and the northwest flow is helping hold temperatures in the upper 80s. Showers, if any, will be widely scattered and light.

This setup will continue into the weekend, when a trough will work through the mountains.

The weekend

Rainfall chances will increase late Saturday into Sunday as the front approaches the Cape Fear region. Highs will still hold in the upper 80s on Saturday and Sunday. Rising dew points will make things a bit muggy once again. Lows overnight should drop to about 72. Best chance of widespread rain will be Sunday, tapering off overnight.

Down the road

The atmosphere dries out as another high-pressure regime sets up. Dew points will return to a more pleasant low to mid-60s, and daily highs will slip back into the mid-80s during the week. Lows will drip into the mid- to upper 60s.

In the tropics

Ernesto's path is set off the Southeast coast. It will track close to Bermuda, possibly threatening the Canadian maritime provinces down the road.

However, the storm will produce large waves and potentially dangerous rip currents along the Carolina coast through the weekend. Vacationers should exercise caution — or better yet, just stay ashore this weekend.

Got a weather question? Chick Jacobs can be reached at ncweatherhound@gmail.com or NCWeatherhound on X/Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Weather Permitting: Got plans? Here's what you can expect in Fayetteville this weekend