Cooler days ahead for Raleigh after wild weather swings

After storms and near-record heat earlier this week, we're in for a cooler couple of days ahead.

Even with the afternoon warmth, temps will stay in the low 60s on Thursday. Then, overnight, they could dip into the 30s.

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• Thursday night: A few clouds. Low around 40.
• Friday: Cloudy but dry. Highs in the low 60s.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny skies with highs in the low 60s.

Cold snap is here after near-record heat

Thursday will be significantly cooler, with a high of only 62 degrees. Bundle up – Thursday night will dip down to a chilly 39 degrees.

"Don't let it deter you from coming down and visiting the gardens," Maze said.

Thankfully, the cold snap won't last long. Friday morning will start off cold, but highs will climb back up into the upper 50s and low 60s by the afternoon.

This weekend looks cooler with highs ranging from the upper 50s to the mid 60s for both Friday and Saturday. We'll see temperatures in the 30s on Friday and Saturday nights. A frost advisory is possible for Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Conditions should be cool and dry at the Dreamville Music Festival.

Next week, we're back in the 70s again!

With all this warm weather, the flowers and trees are blooming – meaning pollen counts are high. If you're sneezing, that could be why!

Colorado State University's 2024 Atlantic hurricane season forecast

On Thursday, forecasters at Colorado State University issued their 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast.

The forecast calls for 24 named storms in the 2024 season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. On average, there are 14 named storms in a hurricane season.

It calls for 11 hurricanes in 2024 when there are typically seven per season.

Colorado State's 2024 forecast calls for five major hurricanes. Typically, there are three major hurricanes.

7-day forecast for central NC

• Thursday: Cloudy but dry. High of 62.
• Friday: Cloudy but dry. Highs in the low 60s.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny skies with highs in the low 60s.
• Sunday: Sunny skies. High of 66.
• Monday: Mostly sunny and slightly warmer. Highs in the low 70s.
• Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s.
• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance for a few showers. Highs in the mid 70s.

April 8: Eyes on the skies for a total solar eclipse

We're getting closer to the next total solar eclipse for North America, which is happening on April 8.

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.

In Raleigh we'll only see a partial eclipse starting just before 2 p.m. We'll see the maximum effect at approximately 3:15 p.m.

There will unfortunately be some obstruction to those hoping to see the eclipse. It is expected to be overcast in much of the areas in the path of the eclipse.