Raleigh sizzles! Hits 80 degrees, warmest day yet, just before Spring blooms
Spring is one week away, but the weather this week will make you think it's already here.
Thursday will be the warmest day we've had this year so far, with a high of 81 degrees.
Temperatures have already hit 80 degrees in Raleigh this afternoon. It's the first time Raleigh-Durham International Airport has seen temperatures in the 80s this year.
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- Thursday: Mainly sunny. High of 81.
- Friday: Isolated storms possible. High of 82.
- Saturday: Partly sunny skies. Slim chance of a few sprinkles before sunrise. High of 73.
Looking ahead: Temps in the 80s to close the week
Friday's high will be even warmer, reaching 82 degrees at RDU and 83 in Fayetteville. Despite the warmth, a record won't be broken – the records for Thursday and Friday are in the upper 80s.
In 1990, the record for March 14 was set at 86 degrees, and in 1973 we saw a record of 87 degrees on March 15.
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.
Warmer temperatures, however, do not mean the end to our hard freezes.
"The average last hard freeze is between March 21 and March 31," said WRAL Meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth. "With warming temps, many like to go out in the garden, just keep in mind, we could still get freezing temps."
Possible wet weekend
Friday will be partly cloudy to start, but late in the afternoon we will see a few isolated showers and storms. Severe weather doesn't look likely.
Saturday looks partly cloudy but mostly dry.
People attending the St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Raleigh at 10 a.m. won't have to worry about rain, and it will be breezy and mild. There is a slight chance for rain Saturday night, but the weekend as a whole is dry.
WRAL meteorologists have lowered rain chances for Sunday, which will be mostly dry all day.
Highs on Saturday and Sunday will be in the lower to mid 70s.
Don't put your jacket away just yet. We'll see a cool down again next week, with highs in the 50s once again.
Rainfall to start 2024 above normal in some areas
We have a surplus of rain at RDU. We've had 7.7" so far this year, and that gives us a surplus of .72". Rain totals in Fayetteville, however, are at a slight deficit of .51", with 6.01" so far this year.
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," WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said. "I don't [expect] drought conditions to be an issue this spring."
7-day forecast for central NC
- Thursday: Mainly sunny. High 81.
- Friday: Isolated storms possible. High of 82.
- Saturday: Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. High 73.
- Sunday: Happy St. Patrick's Day. Rain is looking less likely. High of 74.
- Monday: Cloudy skies with a few showers possible. Highs in the upper 60s.
- Tuesday: Mostly clear. High of 55.
- Wednesday: Sunny skies and still cool. High of 59.
- Thursday: Cloudy. High of 65.
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.
