It certainly feels like spring has arrived this week with temperatures that have been in the 70s to near 80 across North Carolina. Trees and flowers are already in bloom with the record warmth.

Despite all these signs of spring, you should definitely resist the urge to start any spring planting this weekend. It is much too early for that in our part of the country.

Temperatures next week will still be mild, although likely not as warm as this week. Then long range forecasts show colder weather could return to the state around the first full week or March. The 8 to 14 day outlook from the Climate Prediction Center now indicates some potential for colder than average temperatures during that time.

We do not expect to see frigid temperatures similar to early January, but freezing temperatures at night and during the early morning are definitely possible well into the month of March.

The average date for the last freeze of the season for North Carolina ranges from late March near the coast to late April or early May in the mountains.

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