Chilly Monday night before near-80-degree temps this week
After a gorgeous day Monday, we're in for another chilly night before we see temperatures close to 80 degrees this week.
Tonight will be clear, but temperatures will dip into the upper 30s overnight and into Tuesday morning.
However, the cold temperatures won't stick around long this week. Above-normal temps in the 70s and plenty of sunshine are on the way.
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- Monday night: Mostly clear and cold. Lows in the upper 30s.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and warmer. Highs in the low 70s.
- Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High of 74.
Looking ahead: Temps near the 80s this week, longer days and more pollen
Great weather is on the way! Expect sunny skies and rising temperatures throughout this week.
We'll see above normal temperatures much of the week. Tuesday will reach the 70s, and Thursday and Friday could feel almost summer-like with highs near 80!
With all those warmer temperatures comes more flowers - and you could see an increase in your allergies as pollen counts rise.
We'll also start seeing longer days and later sunsets, so you'll be able to stay outside and enjoy the springtime warmth even more each evening.
Our next chance of rain arrives Friday evening, along with another band on St. Patrick's Day, but it doesn't look like a significant system.
"These don't look like huge systems, but we'll continue to watch," WRAL meteorologist Anthony Baglione said.
Warmer temperatures, however, do not mean the end to our hard freezes.
"The average last hard freeze is between March 21 and March 31," WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said. "With warming temps, many like to go out in the garden, just keep in mind, we could still get freezing temps."
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
- Monday: Clear and cooler. High near 62.
- Tuesday: 69 degrees and sunny.
- Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High of 74.
- Thursday: Mainly sunny. High 79.
- Friday: Cloudy with occasional rain showers. High of 78.
- Saturday: Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. High 72.
- Sunday: Happy St. Patrick's Day. Chance for rain with a high of 69.
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.
