The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a dense fog advisory, which is in effect until 8 a.m. today.

Visibility is one quarter mile or less at times.

Southwest winds will increase this morning, then quickly shift to the west- northwest as a strong cold front crosses the area late in the morning into the early afternoon. A line of showers with embedded thunderstorms will move through with the front, and this could bring localized wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph.

Following the passage of the cold front, widespread west-northwest winds gusting 45 to 60 mph will occur through the afternoon before diminishing in the early evening.

Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Numerous power outages can be expected. Travel will be difficult with the strong wind gusts, especially for high profile vehicles. Limited visibilities will make travel very difficult early this morning.

The latest forecast:

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2pm, then a slight chance of showers. Areas of fog before 1pm. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Windy, with a light and variable wind becoming west 21 to 26 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. West wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. West wind 13 to 16 mph.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain before 1am, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday: A chance of rain and snow before 8am, then rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of rain before 1am, then a chance of rain and snow between 1am and 4am, then a chance of snow after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A chance of snow before 10am, then a chance of rain and snow between 10am and noon, then a chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow between 7pm and 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Monday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 30%.