Charlotte, NC – Under clear skies and calm early air, the Piedmont and foothills of North Carolina begin this Friday quietly—but the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg warns of increased fire danger later today. By late morning, humidity will drop sharply to near 25–30%, combining with dry vegetation and light breezes to create favorable conditions for wildfires.
Officials advise avoiding outdoor burning through the afternoon, especially in western counties from Asheville to Gastonia and extending east toward Charlotte. Fires can spread faster than expected when air is this dry, even with minimal wind. Local burn bans remain possible if conditions worsen.
The good news: skies will stay bright and mild Friday, with highs near 67°F in Charlotte and upper 60s in the foothills. Saturday continues the pleasant stretch—mostly sunny, calm, and ideal for fall cleanup or weekend markets.
By Sunday, clouds begin to increase ahead of a developing system that will finally bring needed moisture to the Carolinas. Light showers could move in late Sunday or Monday, marking the start of a wetter pattern that lingers through midweek. Temperatures will trend slightly cooler, hovering near 56°F early next week.
To be fair, today’s fire risk isn’t unusual for late October—but it’s a sharp reminder of how quickly fall dryness can turn dangerous. With Halloween approaching next Friday, early outlooks suggest a cooler but likely dry evening—good news for trick-or-treaters across the region.
