The frigid start to 2018 may seem like a distant memory over the next couple of days. Spring like temperatures are expected Thursday and Friday. Afternoon highs Thursday will top out in the mid 60s across much of central North Carolina. Highs near 70 are likely for Friday.

As the temperature rises, the chance for rain also increases. Much of Thursday will be mostly cloudy with nothing more than a few isolated light showers or sprinkles. The chance for scattered showers will be higher late Thursday afternoon and Thursday night. Off and on showers will then continue through Friday. The last round of showers may not move through the region until late Friday night. A few thunderstorms cannot be ruled out late Friday afternoon and evening.

Most of central North Carolina should see around a half-inch to inch-and-a-half of rain from late Thursday through Friday night.

Any showers will come to an end by early Saturday morning. Most of the weekend forecast still looks dry as colder air returns to North Carolina.

For Saturday, early morning temperatures in the upper 40s to near 50 may only warm a few degrees through midday. Lows will then drop to the upper 20s by early Sunday morning. Despite sunshine all day, Sunday's highs may only warm to around 40.

 

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