Rain and storms on tap Friday afternoon ☔
Friday will be another day with highs in the 80s. But we've also got some rain and storms in the forecast.
There will be a chance for some showers and perhaps a thunderstorm – mainly during the afternoon and evening.
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- Friday: Isolated storms possible. High of 82.
- Saturday: Partly sunny skies. Slim chance of a few sprinkles before sunrise. High of 70.
- Sunday: Happy St. Patrick's Day. Rain is looking less likely. High of 75.
"We will see mostly cloudy skies by lunchtime," said WRAL Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner. "Rain and storms arrive after lunch and taper off to a few showers during the evening commute through dinner time."
Winds could gust 20 to 25 mph.
Friday will be another warm day after temperatures reached 80 degrees in Raleigh on Thursday for the first time this year.
"If we don't hit 80 degrees by lunchtime we will likely stay in the upper 70s," Gardner said. "Once the rain arrives our temperatures will begin to cool off."
According to Gardner, a quick shower is possible overnight Friday through around 8 a.m. Saturday morning.
Rainfall totals should be less than .25 inches.
Looking ahead at the weekend
The weekend features plenty of clouds and temperatures in the 70s.
Saturday looks partly cloudy but mostly dry with a few showers possible before 8 a.m.. If you're planning to attend the St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Raleigh, you won't have to worry about rain.
"It should be dry by the 10 a.m. parade start time in downtown Raleigh," Gardner said. "The afternoon will be partly cloudy with a high near 70 degrees. It will be breezy with a west wind gusting 20 to 25 mph."
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.
With all those warmer temperatures comes more flowers – and 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.
Cooldown on the way
Don't put your jacket away just yet. We'll see a cool down again next week, with highs in the 50s once again.
We are watching Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for a frost/freeze potential.
7-day forecast for central NC
- Friday: Isolated storms possible. High of 82.
- Saturday: Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. High 70.
- Sunday: Happy St. Patrick's Day. Rain is looking less likely. High of 75.
- Monday: Cloudy skies with a few showers possible. Highs in the 60s.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny skies, breezy and cooler. High of 55.
- Wednesday: Sunny skies and milder. High of 62.
- Thursday: Partly cloudy and milder. High of 73.
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.
