This is the latest forecast for the Charlotte/Mecklenburg area by the National Weather Service:

Friday...Partly cloudy. Highs around 50. Lows around 30.

Friday Night...Partly cloudy. Highs around 50. Lows around 30.

Saturday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 50s. Lows around 30.

Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 50s. Lows around 30.

Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.

Monday...Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain showers. Highs around 50.


So, things look unseasonably warm and pleasant for this weekend. No snow, no ice, no bad weather in the forecast.

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We had a nice write up in the Charlotte Observer this weekend, which will hopefully pull out a few more (maybe hundreds) of general interest fishermen from the local area. I've gotten calls and emails from people all across the U.S., Canada, Europe, etc., who are planning to attend. I know that some people have a hard time comprehending what a big deal this event is, as other than the same event last year, no one has ever staged such a large, varied and complete rod building event as the National Rod Builders Show. Suffice to say that this is the only time each year when so much rod building product, so many rod builders, and so much rod building knowledge is assembled in one place and under one roof. There is nothing else even remotely like it. If you can make it, I don't think you'll be disappointed. And if you can't, we'll see you next year (plans are already under way for the 2006 event).


.............

"So, things look unseasonably warm and pleasant for this weekend. No snow, no ice, no bad weather in the forecast. "

Well, we now know who to blame when it snows. Come on, you gotta know what a jinx this is. I'm looking foward to some "Warm" weather. Warm in quotes, as my Austrailian friend is sufferein gthrough 100 degree temps right now, and is going to freeze his buns off. I'm sure he'sd appreciatea few scarfs & mittens to keep his extremities nice and toasty while he's here in teh US. lol.

ND forecast: Dark tonight, light tomorrow. If the weather doesn't change, it'll be just like this tomorrow, too.

WOW, North Dakota sounds as exciting as I thought it would be. lol.

I'm missing NOTHING ... Maryland weekend

Friday Feb 25

Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy High
41°F
Low
25°F
Precip: 20%
Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 40s and lows in the mid 20s.

Saturday 26

Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy High
41°F
Low
25°F
Precip: 20%
details details
Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 40s and lows in the mid 20s.

Sunday 27

Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy High
46°F
Low
32°F
Precip: 0%
Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid
40s and lows in the low 30s.

50's sounds great!!! Booked a room for a couple of nights at the westin last week but the airfare from Boston to Charlotte is running between $450 and $ 1200. Should've committed to this months ago, maybe next year.

Any one need a room for $89/night , fri and sat, before I cancel the reservation?

Michael..my friend... Do the words "road trip" mean nothing to you? :) Seriously, Boston is (guessing) 6-7 hr trip? All Interstate, if they aren't torn up for "improvements". I'm sure you could do it for way less than $450.00. I've done the Raleigh to Boston roadie, Charlotte adds about 3.5 hrs, I think.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

- Jeff

Yeah, driving isn't that big of a deal, just hop in teh truck and scoot on South.

Charlotte is only about 2 hours and 15 minutes down the 40/85 corridor from Raleigh.

Whoa! Snow for Charlotte Thursday! But clearing and much warmer on Friday and Saturday. I think the gods are smiling on the National Rod Building Show!

Bill (Colby) ... stand along side the roadway Raleigh / Durham & I'll wave on the way past on Friday morning. -- unless I stop off to fish one of those lakes I passed last year.

No snow is forecast for Charlotte on Thursday. They'll likely just get some rain - the snow will be up my way. But it's not expected to amount to much of anything. Two inches, maybe. Not a big deal.

Mostly sunny and warm in Charlotte Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I think we're pretty much in the clear weatherwise for this year's show.

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"Two inches, maybe. Not a big deal. " - you're a BRAVE man. Iol - no blizzards

Blizzards, don't talk to me about B*******Y blizzards, a solitary flake fell over on the east coast(U.K.) and the whole country comes to a stand still. We can't handle it like you guys over there,LOL.

Jeff...I've never done Richmond in less than 10 hrs.....Mapquest shows me 830 miles and 13.5 hours. Maybe work all day friday....caffiene injection IV (slow drip) drive as far as I can, and finish the trip in the am. Flipside is the full 13.5 hour drive on sunday....thats alot of driving!!! (My complulsive behavior is considering this....)