N.C. December Forecast: Colder Than Average, NWS Says

December is cranking up, and soon so will your furnace. The month ahead is going to be colder than normal, according to a new long-range forecast.

According to a 30-day forecast released by the National Weather Service, a "major" pattern change will result in some cold weather for the weeks to come. The longwave pattern change is likely to occur during the first week of December, the NWS estimates.

"Following a mild start to December, this major pattern change is likely to usher in outbreaks of below to much below-normal temperatures to the eastern third of the [continental U.S.] through at least mid-December," according to the 30-day outlook, which was released Thursday. Those trends will continue through the end of the month, it said, with below normal temperatures expected from the Mississippi Valley to the east coast.

NWS forecasters predict rain showers mid-week in the Queen City metro region, with temperatures chilling by next weekend. (More on that below.)

Both the European and U.S. computer models are in agreement that the pattern shift "strongly favors" below-normal temperatures across the Eastern United States, the NWS says.

"A cold front, associated with the onset of the major pattern change is expected to result in precipitation amounts of 0.5 to 2 inches across the Eastern United States during the first week of December," the monthly outlook says.

Here is the forecast for the next week:
Today (Dec. 1)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. East northeast wind around 7 mph.
Saturday (Dec. 2)
A slight chance of showers before 1pm, then a slight chance of rain between 1pm and 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind.
Sunday (Dec. 3)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Light and variable wind.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Monday (Dec. 4)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Tuesday (Dec. 5)
A 30 percent chance of showers after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67.
Tuesday Night
Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday (Dec. 6)
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Thursday (Dec. 7)
Partly sunny, with a high near 49.

Photo courtesy of the National Weather Service