Forecasts call for a major rain event to occur throughout parched and smoldering Western North Carolina as a cold front makes its way through the central U.S.

Earlier in the week, NOAA had predicted as much as 7 inches in far western parts of the state; WLOS meteorologist Jason Boyer says that’s doubtful, but 3 to 4 inches was certainly “doable.”

The Weather Channel forecasts 2 to 3 inches for all of WNC and three to five inches for isolated areas near the Georgia border through 3 p.m. Wednesday.

But in a classic “be careful what you wish for” scenario, rainfall has a much more difficult time penetrating hard, dry soils than it does soft, moist areas.

Large amounts of rainfall deposited in short amounts of time can lead to flooding, erosion and mudslides.

“The soil won't absorb as much as it would if it had been abnormal or wetter this season,” Boyer said.

Dr. Diana H. Wall, director of the School of Global Environmental Sustainability and Biology professor at Colorado State University confirmed the possibility.

“Basically, fast water movement over drought-stricken land can erode soils, taking with it, some of the top inches of rich organic matter,” Wall said.

Boyer said there was no way to determine how much rain and soil may run off, but said that mudslides were not out of the question.

“Chances are much greater in the burn areas,” he said, referring to the spate of wildfires scorching several western counties in North Carolina as well as parts of Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

“Most of the fires occurred over rural locations, so the population impact will be low,” he said.