Weekend outlook: Rain for Panthers game?

A week of glorious, dry weather is about to end with some rain, and the precipitation might arrive in time to dampen the Carolina Panthers' home opener Sunday.

But fans attending high school and college games this weekend are probably safe, and so are the tens of thousands of people planning to visit the Yiasou Greek Festival in Charlotte's Dilworth community or scheduling other outdoor activities Friday and Saturday.

The region has been dry since last Saturday, as cool high pressure has dominated. But a pair of weak cold fronts and a low pressure system will change all that.

A small upper-level low pressure system is crossing the Carolinas on Friday, and that's what is producing the mid- and high-level cloudiness. No rain is expected, however.

So after temperatures reach the lower 80s Friday in the Piedmont, fans attending high school football games this evening will experience partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the 70s at kickoff, possible falling into the upper 60s by late evening. In other words, conditions will be very nice.

If your Saturday plans include golf, tennis or your children's soccer or football games in the morning, there'll be no problems. Temperatures will be in the lower 60s at 7 a.m., climbing rapidly to the mid 70s by late morning and the middle 80s by afternoon.

No rain is predicted for most of the Carolinas, although an approaching cold front could trigger a shower or two in the mountains in the afternoon.

Fans attending college football games Saturday afternoon and evening should remain dry, unless you're in the mountains. Temperatures are expected to remain mild.

Now, about Sunday ...

The Panthers and New Orleans Saints play at 1 p.m.

The weak cold front that moves into the mountains late Saturday is forecast to stall there. A low pressure system then is predicted to slide up the front, bringing showers and even a few thunderstorms.

It looks like the heaviest rain won't fall until Sunday evening and night, but a few showers and storms will be possible in the afternoon.  That means you'd better plan on taking the ponchos.

Don't worry about sunscreen. Forecasters expect a cloudy day, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s in the afternoon.

The early part of next week could be quite wet. Computer models indicate about an inch of rain could fall in the Piedmont and foothills Monday and Tuesday, before clearing and cooler weather returns for Wednesday and Thursday.