Relief in sight: Calm weather to aid Hurricane Helene recovery efforts
An incoming high-pressure system this weekend promises dry, pleasant weather with low humidity, cool nights, and warm afternoons to aid in post-Hurricane Helene cleanup.
Storm chaser Aaron Rigsby reflects on a long week of coverage with Helene flooding and the heart-wrenching stories of the people impacted, many who have lost everything after the storm.
Following the deadly and destructive forces from Hurricane Helene, there is good news on the weather maps for hard-hit areas of the interior southeastern United States for an extended period, AccuWeather meteorologists are delighted to say.
Upcoming weather conditions starting this weekend will largely cooperate for relief, recovery and cleanup efforts.
First things first: Some minor hindrances in the short-term
There will be areas of morning fog that can hinder airlift operations this weekend, but the fog will burn off during the mid-morning hours. Early-morning fog can still occur in some of the mountain valleys into next week because of the lengthening nights, light winds and clear skies overhead.
Valley fog wafts through the autumn-colored hills near the Picket Hill Farm, Wednesday morning, Oct. 13, 2021, in Denmark, Maine. The farm complex was built in the 1830s. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Humidity levels will remain high into the weekend. While the conditions will be well short of midsummer heat and humidity, it can pose a challenge for those toiling without air conditioning.
Now, for the great news weatherwise
A press of dry air will arrive this weekend from the north and west and may stick around for a week or more, thanks to a building zone of high pressure.
The high pressure zone will bring days with low humidity, cool nights and comfortably warm afternoons. Sunshine will help illuminate areas where the power remains out.
Daytime highs will be mainly in the 70s in the mountains and within a few degrees of 80 in the valleys of the southern Appalachians. High will be mainly in the low to mid-80s in the Piedmont areas. Nighttime lows, for most of the stretch, will range from the mid-50s to the low 60s in the mountains and mainly in the 60s in the Piedmont areas.
The same high pressure area will guard against heavy rain over the interior Southeast as tropical activity blossoms once again in the Gulf of Mexico.
Florida, southern Georgia interests should remain vigilant
At this time, steering breezes will likely guide that storm across the Florida Peninsula, where people as far north as southern South Carolina should closely monitor Milton's track.
The potential for rain is heavy enough to lead to flooding problems over Florida—especially in the peninsula—as the week progresses. In Florida, some of the heavy rain will reach areas that had little or no impact from Helene and will fall on areas that were hit hard by the powerful hurricane.
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