A weak storm system responsible for producing scattered rain through Monday will exit off the coast by Tuesday, leaving behind sunny, dry conditions for Election Day.
Tuesday is expected to begin on a cool note for voters heading to polling precincts, with temperatures running about 2 to 6 degrees below normal for early November.
Forecast models indicate morning lows in the lower 40s along the Interstate 85 corridor, with mid-40s likely along the I-20 and I-95 corridors.
While the morning chill will certainly be noticeable, it won’t be nearly as cold as conditions were over the weekend. Saturday brought the first widespread frost reports of the season, as clear skies and light winds allowed temperatures to dip into the mid-30s in several communities.
A broad ridge of high pressure in control of the weather will help to keep skies clear and winds light throughout Election Day and the rest of the workweek.
Tuesday’s afternoon highs are expected to reach the mid- to upper 60s statewide, which will be pleasant weather for communities that have elections during the off-year.
The atmosphere will be too dry for rain, and winds really won't be an issue, so there will be no hindrances at the ballot box.
Polling places are set to be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and with the recent time change to standard time, the sun will set around 5:30 p.m.
Expect similar conditions all week, with a slight moderation in temperatures back to normal and even above-normal values as the flow around the ridge becomes more southerly.
Can the weather impact voter enthusiasm?
Weather may do more than set the scene on Election Day - it could influence voter turnout, according to research published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.
Researchers analyzed data from major U.S. elections between 1960 and 2016 and found that voter turnout increased by 0.14% for every 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit rise in temperature.
While that percentage may seem small, experts noted the impact could be significant in close races.
“In 1960, the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, earned 49.72% of the votes, whereas the incumbent party’s candidate, Richard M. Nixon, earned 49.55% of the votes - a difference of only 0.17%. A closer look at the results of this election reveals that Kennedy had a slightly higher share of votes than Nixon in Hawaii (0.06%), Illinois (0.18%), and Missouri (0.52%). If Nixon had won those states, he would have become president," study authors stated.
Researchers also examined the 2000 presidential election between Al Gore and George W. Bush.
They believe an increase in temperatures of only 1.8 °F in Florida would have moved the state out of the Bush camp and into the Gore column, therefore changing the presidential outcome.
In addition to possibly affecting turnout, the study found that warmer temperatures tended to favor incumbent parties, as voters seemed more satisfied in warmer years.