Chilly and drizzly: Saturday night brings light rain, low 40s
Saturday night will be mild with temperatures in the low 40s.
Light rain is likely to continue through the evening and overnight on Saturday, though heavier downpours are not expected.
"Our chances for heaviest rain are this evening and could well be moving out before 11 p.m.," Anthony Baglione, said.
Sunday and Monday look clear, with temperatures warming into the 70s throughout the week ahead.
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- Saturday: There is a 60% chance for rain with a high of 56 degrees.
- Sunday: Clear skies with a high of 55.
- Monday: Partly cloudy and warmer. High of 68 degrees.
Sunday brings clear skies and nice weather
Sunday will be the best day of the weekend, with sunshine and clear skies. Highs will be in the mid 50s.
This weekend there will also be a slight chance for snow -- between 1 to 3 inches -- but only in the mountains. The Triangle will be too warm to see any snow.
Big warm-up comes next week
By next week, we see highs in the 70s by Tuesday with a few more spotty rain chances. On Wednesday, highs are in the mid 70s!
The Euro continues to show the bulk of the rain on Wednesday and the new American model also pushed the rain to Wednesday.
Pollen forecast
If you feel sneezy or itchy, it could be because some flowers are starting to bloom in the warm weather.
Snow drought: Over 755 days without measureable snow at RDU
It's been a winter of discontent for snow lovers.
We have not seen any measurable snow this season and it's not looking like we'll get any. As of Friday, Feb. 23, we've been 755 days without measurable snow (Jan. 29, 2022 saw .4 inches). This is the third-longest snow drought on record at RDU.
"At this point, the odds of getting snow are quite low," said WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth. "We thought we might get at least some snow this year because it's an El Niño year. Our research showed that we typically get measurable snow during El Niño years."
In previous El Niño runs, we would typically see a warmer-than-normal December with cooler January and February months.
Wilmoth said this El Niño run has been warm and is tied for fourth warmest on record and ninth wettest on record at RDU. So the moisture has been in place, but it hasn't lined up with any cold snaps.
The temperature outlook for early March shows North Carolina seeing above normal temperatures. If that holds, it looks like we could be waiting until next winter for snowflakes.
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
- Saturday: Increased chance for rain with a high of 56.
- Sunday: Clear skies with a high of 55.
- Monday: Partly cloudy and milder. High of 68.
- Tuesday: Partly cloudy with highs in the lower 70s.
- Wednesday: Much warmer! Partly sunny, winds 15-20 mph ahead of a cold front. High of 76.
- Thursday: Overcast with rain showers at times. High of 54. Chance of rain 60%.
- Friday: Partly cloudy. High 59
