Some cooler temperatures may be headed our way this weekend for the annual Rhododendron Festival, but along with the cooling air comes the chance for some rain and possibly even thunderstorms.
The high on Saturday should hit around the mid-80s mark for the first day of the event, National Weather Service Forecaster Andrew Moulton said. Then on Sunday, the high should be around 80 for the conclusion of the festival, he said.
“It is probably going to be the coolest days we’ll see this week,” Moulton said.
Part of the reason behind the drop in temperatures from the heat wave that has settled on the area is the arrival of the remnants of Tropical Storm Bill. The tropical storm hit Texas earlier this week and has been moving its way inland.
“It’s sitting over Arkansas right now,” Moulton said, adding the storm front will continue to move toward our area, bringing with it cooler temperatures ahead of the storm front and a chance for rain and potentially severe storms here in Carter County.
“The best chance of rain is going to be overnight on Saturday between sunset on Saturday and sunrise on Sunday,” Moulton said, adding the chance of overnight rain will be between 60 and 70 percent. “There could be some showers during the daylight hours.”
The chance for rain during the day on Saturday and Sunday will be about 30 percent, he said.
“Hopefully you can dodge the rain and enjoy some of the cooler temperatures,” Moulton said.
While most of the rain should be light, there is the potential for some severe storms with the front, Moulton said.
“There could be some thunderstorms and gusty winds, but that won’t be the norm for the weekend,” he said. “That is going to be a small chance but not out of the realm of possibilities.”
The Rhododendron Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and will feature more than 100 arts and crafts and food vendors offering their items for the visitor’s consideration.
Entertainment will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Bandwagon Fallacy will start the entertainment at 10 a.m. Jim and Cheri Miller will perform at 11 a.m. and The Boss Family will play at noon. Siam Symphony will play at 1 p.m. A scholarship presentation will be made at 2 p.m. and Thistle Dew will play at 2:05 p.m. Bass Brake will play at 3 p.m. and Roan Mountain Moonshiners at 4 p.m.
Sunday entertainment will begin at 10 a.m. with open mic for any gospel entertainer until 1 p.m.
Savior Call will play at 1 p.m., Reel Steel at 2 and Greater Glory at 3. Open mic for any gospel entertainer will be held from 4-5 p.m. to close out Sunday’s entertainment.