Forecast Last Updated at Friday, March 7, 2014 at 12:15PM

Improving this Afternoon; Surprisingly Pleasant Weekend

The rain and high elevation snow is winding down and will be followed by some clearing as we head into the rest of the afternoon. This will pave the way for a surprisingly nice weekend after a very messy 24-hours. Sunshine and above-normal temperatures return for your Saturday. Sunday will have more clouds and perhaps a passing sprinkle, but still nice weather overall. The unseasonably mild weather will continue through midweek.

Friday Hi: 51 Lo: 32 Decreasing clouds this afternoon; Mostly clear tonight; North wind 5-10 mph becoming light NW

Saturday Hi: 64 Lo: 36 Lots of sunshine & quite mild; Light NW wind

Sunday Hi: 61 Lo: 37 Mix of clouds & sunshine; Maybe a passing daytime sprinkle; Light NW wind

Monday Hi: 67 Lo: 41 Plenty of sunshine and mild

Tuesday Hi: 69 Lo: 47 Mostly sunny & very mild; More clouds with a chance for rain late Tuesday night

Further Out

Wednesday - Mostly cloudy with showers likely; Maybe some thunder; Partly cloudy & colder Wednesday night; High in the lower 60s; Low in the lower 30s
Thursday - Morning snow flurries; Partly cloudy & much colder; High in the upper 30s; Low in the upper 20s

Forecast Discussion

Late winter and early spring are characterized by rapid weather changes, and the next couple days will be no different. This morning, we woke up to generally rain in the valleys, but snow on the mountaintops. Other than some lingering drizzle early this afternoon, precipitation is over and we’ll get some clearing going. The culprit was an upper level storm system lumbering through the Southeast, which is driving a surface low-pressure center off the Carolina coast. This system will be exiting stage right today, taking the winter weather with it.

In it’s wake will be the arrival of dramatically milder weather for the upcoming weekend under the primary influence of high pressure. We will have a weak and nondescript frontal zone pushing through on Sunday with some more clouds and maybe a sprinkle, but nothing more.

Monday and Tuesday look great with sunshine and highs soaring into the upper 60s in the valleys.

A storm system and associated cold front will bring our next chances for rain Tuesday night and Wednesday. It will turn colder briefly behind the front next Thursday, with some morning snow flurries.

Note: This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week in NC. Today's topic is "Be An Example". Click to learn more.

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