If you think it is unusually warm for February, you're right. Our normal highs this time of year in eastern North Carolina are still around 60. We'll see temperatures will above average for the next several days.
In fact, we have a very good chance to set new record highs on Wednesday and Thursday in Wilmington with highs that will be near 80. Near record highs will then be possible for Friday and the weekend too.
The unusually warm weather is thanks to high pressure sitting off the southeast coast. The high that sits between the Carolinas and Bermuda is often referred to as the "Bermuda high," and is a pattern that is typical for late spring and summer.
That high does not appear to break down anytime soon, so warm weather will continue across the southeastern United States while cold temperatures will remain in the western and central parts of the country.
The dividing line between our warm air in the eastern United States and the colder air to the west is where heavy rain is expected through the remainder of this week. Four to eight inches could fall from East Texas to southern Illinois and Indiana. That heavy rain should remain well to our west.
Our next good chance for rain will come late this weekend and early next week. Somewhat cooler air will also arrive early next week. Highs in the mid 60s are now forecast for the first half of next week.
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