Pleasant afternoon for outdoor activities: Temperatures in the mid-60s with clear skies

Thursday afternoon, temperatures are in the mid-60s with clear skies.

Pretty nice day for outdoor practices this evening and should be pretty comfortable.

We will stay in the 60s through 6 p.m. and then down into the upper 50s by 7 p.m. and it will stay dry for those outdoor practices.

However rain arrives overnight Thursday into Friday morning. It's a rainy start to the weekend.

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• Thursday: Mostly clear, breezy and warmer. High of 66 degrees.
• Friday: Partly cloudy and 90% chance of rain during the day. High of 63 degrees.
• Saturday: There is a 30% chance for rain with a high of 54 degrees.

Thursday marks the ninth consecutive day Raleigh-Durham International Airport has gone without rain. RDU's last rain came on Feb. 13, when we had 0.59 inches.

Spring-like weather ahead this weekend

Thursday will be partly sunny and warmer as a south wind picks up. Between the wind and warmer temperatures, pollen should climb back into the high category. Highs on Thursday reach the mid 60s.

WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said rain chances have increased for Friday.

The areas of central North Carolina where the highest rainfall totals are expected will be in the southeast counties.

Once the rain clears, there will be an opportunity for some sun later in the day Friday with continued warmth, with highs in the mid 60s.

Saturday will have mostly cloudy skies with a few spotty showers possible as some upper level energy swings through.

"A few spotty showers are possible Saturday, but we expect plenty of dry time over the weekend," Wilmoth said.

There will also be a slight chance for snow -- between 1 to 3 inches -- in the mountains.

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Pollen forecast

If you feel a little itchy sneezy coming on, it could be because some flowers are starting to bloom in the warm weather.

"Friday's rain will help with the tree pollen," Wilmoth said.

Tree pollen is in the moderate category on Thursday.

Eclipse coming up in April!

• April 8 is the date of the next total solar eclipse for North America. We won't see a total eclipse in North Carolina, but lots of people will travel to take it in! Ohio will be the closest spot to drive to from Raleigh for the path of totality.

7-day forecast for central NC

• Thursday: Mostly clear, warmer and breezy! High of 66.
• Friday: Partly cloudy skies, 90% chance for rain. High of 63.
• Saturday: There is a 30% chance for rain with a high of 54.
• Sunday: Clear skies with a high of 55.
• Monday: Partly cloudy and milder. High of 68.
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy skies and still very mild with a slight chance for some rain. Highs in the lower 70s.
• Wednesday: Much warmer! Partly sunny, winds 15-20 mph ahead of a cold front. High of 77.