Mild temperatures and sunshine before WRAL Weather Alert Day ⛈️ this weekend
Thursday afternoon will be mild and in the upper 60s. Temperatures will be back down into the upper 50s around 8 p.m.
Thursday evening will be a great time to get outdoors before a WRAL Weather Alert Day on Saturday.
"We expect 1 to 2" or rain," WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said. "The higher rainfall totals will likely be in our southern counties."
Friday will be a pleasant day as well, staying dry with highs in the mid 60s, before weekend rain and storms.
Track rain with the DualDoppler5000 | Live cams in NC | Weather alerts
- Late Thursday afternoon: Partly cloudy with a high of 50.
- Friday: A mix of sun and clouds with highs in the mid 60s.
- Saturday: A WRAL Weather Alert Day. Rain is likely. High of 64.
- Sunday: Breezy, mostly sunny with highs in the low 60s.
WRAL Weather Alert Day: Storms, tornadoes possible Saturday
The next chance for rain arrives overnight Friday into Saturday morning.
Rain will begin Saturday morning, and southern counties will see the biggest impact.
For much of the viewing area will have a medium risk for flooding.
A WRAL Weather Alert Day has been issued for Saturday. Fayetteville and areas south will be under a Level 2 risk for severe weather, and the rest of the viewing area will be under a Level 1 risk. Tornadoes will be possible, but the biggest impacts are going to be heavy rain, gusty winds and some storms.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely in the afternoon Saturday, with the greatest chance of severe weather later in the day and evening.
For Battle Of The Blues , some storms are possible, but some models have the activity east of Durham by the time the game starts.
Sunday will be dry and the better day for outdoor activities. Both weekend days will feature highs in the 60s.
"Rain and storms move out Saturday night with a slightly cooler and much quieter air mass into Sunday and next week," Wilmoth said. "It will also be breezy to close out the weekend."
Rainfall to start 2024 above normal in some areas
We have a surplus of rain at RDU, with 7.7 inches of rain, a surplus of .72 inches. Rain totals in Fayetteville, however, are at a slight deficit at 6.01 inches of rain.
Fayetteville will have plenty of chances to get more rain, as WRAL meteorologists expect above average rainfall for meteorological spring.
"During the same period, it's expected to be warmer than normal," Maze said. "I don't [expect] drought conditions to be an issue this spring."
7-day forecast for central NC
- Thursday: Partly cloudy. High of 70.
- Friday: Dry with a high of 65.
- Saturday: Rain and storms likely. High of 66.
- Sunday: Dry and clear day. High of 60.
- Monday: Clear and cooler. High near 62.
- Tuesday: 69 degrees and sunny.
- Wednesday: Mostly Clear. High of 73.
Winter 2023-24 passes without snow for Raleigh
This winter was a disappointment for snow lovers.
For the first time in recorded history, no snow was reported at RDU – not even a trace! Records go back to 1887.
It's been more than two full years – 763 days – since there has been any measurable snow (Jan. 29, 2022 saw .4 inches) at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. This is the third-longest snow drought on record at RDU.
Wilmoth said winter 2023-24 was warm (tied for the fourth warmest on record) and wet. Although moisture has been in place, it never lined up with any cold snaps.
March 1 marks the beginning of meteorological spring, pushing the likelihood for a snowfall this season even further down the charts.
There have been 12 other winters with no measurable snow, but they still had a trace at RDU.
Eyes on the sky for 2024 total solar eclipse
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.
