Warm and rainy: Dry start Saturday before rain takes over Super Bowl weekend

We'll have a dry start on Saturday morning before rain takes over Super Bowl weekend.

Saturday morning and afternoon will be warm and pleasant, with a high of 74 degrees.

"The rain doesn't move in until later this evening, so if you want to get outside and enjoy the warm weather, you've got time," said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell.

Sunday could be soggy, with a 70% chance of rain and cooler temperatures, with highs in the 60s.

"Both days feature a chance for rain, but Saturday should be a dryer day," said Campbell.

• Saturday: Close to record warmth, high in the low 70s. Rain likely for the second half of the day.
• Sunday: Mild again. Highest chance of rain for the weekend, with most of it falling before Sunday evening.
• Monday: Cloudy skies with rain likely throughout the day. Highs will be a little cooler in the lower-mid 60s

Rain chances to climb Saturday

The first half of Saturday will be dry and mild, making it the best chance to make plans this weekend.

“[There's] only a 20% chance for rain tomorrow through noon and then they start to rise in the afternoon,” said Campbell.

Scattered showers will be likely in the afternoon and evening -- and for the remainder of the weekend. Rain chances will increase Saturday afternoon from the Triangle northward.

It won't be straight rain throughout the weekend.

"Once the rain arrives, it will be with us off-and-on through the rest of the weekend and pushing out by early Tuesday morning," said WRAL Meteorologist Anthony Baglione.

Near-record 74 degrees on Saturday

On Saturday afternoon, highs will be in the low-to-mid 70s, making it the warmest day of this week.

"This should be the peak of our warm period that is likely to last through Monday of next week," said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.

Saturday will be an unusually warm winter day. The high in Raleigh on Saturday afternoon, 73 degrees, will come close to the record high for the day of 75 degrees.

Rain for Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday will be another mild day with cloudy skies and possibly some showers.

"The best chance for rain should come during the first half of the day," Gardner said.

Monday washout

Monday looks like a possible washout with heavy rain likely. Monday will feature highs in the low 60s and a 90% chance for precipitation.

There will be a low risk for flooding for the Triangle and much of central North Carolina.

After the warmer -- and wet -- weekend, we'll return to the 50s by Tuesday afternoon and Valentine's Day. The weather looks great for Wednesday, with a lot of sunshine, but it will be chilly into the evening.

Helpful links: DualDoppler5000 | Live web cameras

Fun weather facts

• It's almost the 10 year anniversary of the snow storm called the Snowpocalypse that took place Feb.12-13, 2014. The snow storm became a meme fest for the Triangle.
• April 8 will be the next solar eclipse. We won't see it in NC, but lots of people will travel to take it in! Ohio will be the closest spot to drive to from Raleigh.

7-day forecast for central NC

• Saturday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of afternoon showers. High is 73.
• Sunday: Showers are likely but still warm with high in low 60s
• Monday: Cloudy skies with rain likely throughout the day. Highs will be a little cooler in the lower-mid 60s
• Tuesday: Partly to mostly sunny skies, windy and cooler with a lot less humid air. Highs in the mid-upper 50s.
• Wednesday: Sweet and cool weather to celebrate your sweetheart. Highs in the mid 50s-
• Thursday: Partly cloudy skies and still nice and mild. Highs in the mid 50s-lower 60s.
• Friday: Partly cloudy and cooler. Highs in the mid 50s.