High of 77, Triangle skies clear for solar eclipse Monday afternoon

Skies across central North Carolina won't darken completely with Monday's solar eclipse – the path of totality is hundreds of miles away.

"Where skies are clear," WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said, "we will get to see the cool crescent shapes the sun makes with the moon partially covering it."

A partial solar eclipse will be visible in North Carolina after 2 p.m. The peak of eclipse viewing in Raleigh comes around 3:15 p.m. and lasts for about four minutes.

Some communities along the Virginia state line will see clouds instead of the moon pass over the sun.

"There will likely be some cloud cover in our northern counties, but everywhere else the clouds look minimal," Gardner said.

It will be a perfect afternoon to step out – with your eclipse glasses – and take in the experience as temperatures warm into the mid 70s.

NC eclipse viewing parties | Solar eclipse playlist | Watch across the country on WRAL-TV

• Monday: Warm and sunny! High of 77.
• Tuesday: Cloudy with a chance of showers for the afternoon. High of 74.
• Wednesday: Warming to 78 with another sprinkle possible in the afternoon

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

Today is the day of the much anticipated total solar eclipse.

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.

"Roxboro will have the greatest percent of the sun covered with 81.2%, but that is where clouds are most likely as well," said WRAL Meteorologist Anthony Baglione.

Even where the eclipse is partial, eye protection is necessary to view the sun and moon safely.

NC eclipse viewing parties | Solar eclipse playlist | Watch across the country on WRAL-TV

Rain chances on the rise, warm up on the way

Spring weather – with highs in the 70s and a chance for rain just about every afternoon – returns this week across central North Carolina.

Scattered showers are possible Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The best chance for rain and even thunderstorms comes Thursday afternoon. Each day will be a mix of clouds and sun.

The outlook for the coming weekend looks clear and warm.

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

7-day forecast for central NC

Monday afternoon: A few clouds. High of 77.

Tuesday: Isolated afternoon showers. Highs in the mid 70s.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance for a few showers. High of 78.

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms possible. Highs in the mid 70s.

Friday: Breezy and cooler. High of 71.

Saturday: Sunny with highs in the low 70s.

Sunday: Partly cloudy and warmer. Highs in the low 80s.

Prepare for a busy 2024 Atlantic hurricane season forecast

Forecasters at Colorado State University are calling for 24 named storms in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. That is higher than the average year, when 14 storms earn a name.

CSU forecasters say 11 storms will reach hurricane strength, up from the average of seven, and five of those hurricanes could be "major," that is Category 3, 4 or 5, with winds over 111 mph.