Spring is in the air ☀️ Get ready for 80s and sunshine this week
It's not officially spring, but this week will make you think that it is.
On Tuesday night, we'll have partly cloudy skies develop tonight as upper-level clouds stream into the area.
"This should help to keep temperatures slightly milder than the past few nights," WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell said.
Lows will dip into the low to mid 40s with a southwest wind at 5 mph.
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- Tuesday night: Partly cloudy skies. Lows in the mid 40s.
- Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High of 76.
- Thursday: Mainly sunny. High 81.
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 will continue to rise this week.
On Wednesday, highs will be in the mid 70s.
By Thursday and Friday, it could feel almost summer-like with highs in the 80s.
The record high for March 14 was 86 degrees, which was set in 1990.
The record high for March 15 was 87 degrees, which was set in 1973.
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.
"Thursday is going to be our hottest day of the week and I think it's going to feel pretty hot to us," said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.
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."
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. Friday carries a 30% chance for rain.
"These don't look like huge systems, but we'll continue to watch," WRAL meteorologist Anthony Baglione said.
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
- Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High of 76.
- Thursday: Mainly sunny. High 81.
- Friday: Isolated storms possible. High of 80.
- Saturday: Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. High 75.
- Sunday: Happy St. Patrick's Day. Chance for rain with a high of 73.
- Monday: Cloudy skies with a few showers possible. Highs in the upper 60s.
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.
