ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Gusty winds are expected to sweep across Western North Carolina on Friday, prompting a wind advisory for much of the mountain region as a cold front moves through, according to the National Weather Service.

The advisory is in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday for mountain counties including Buncombe, Haywood, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Avery, Swain, Graham and parts of Jackson, Macon, Burke and McDowell counties. Forecasters warned of strong northwest winds, particularly at higher elevations.

In the Asheville area, skies were expected to turn sunny with near-normal temperatures, though conditions remained breezy. Highs were forecast to reach about 45 degrees, with northwest winds of 18 to 22 mph and gusts up to 43 mph. Overnight lows were expected to dip to around 25 degrees under mostly clear skies.

Dry high pressure is forecast to settle over the region for the weekend, bringing calmer conditions and a warming trend. Saturday is expected to be sunny with highs near 56 degrees in Asheville and light winds. Overnight lows Saturday night are forecast near 32 degrees.

A dry cold front is expected to pass through the region Sunday, bringing some cloud cover and breezy conditions, mainly in the mountains. A few light sprinkles are possible early in the day, but no significant precipitation is expected. Highs Sunday should reach the mid-50s, with gusts remaining below advisory levels.

Looking ahead, forecasters said dry weather is likely to continue into early next week, with temperatures warming above normal by Sunday and beyond.