Central NC temps warm above freezing; Sunday temps could reach 70s

Temperatures warmed above 32 degrees for most counties in central North Carolina by 10:30 a.m. That trend continued through the day and evening, leaving the region noticeably warmer than the same time on Friday.

The ice on the roads that caused hundreds of wrecks around the Triangle was the result of a very small amount of precipitation. But with sub-freezing temperatures, the light spritz was enough to send drivers spinning.

"The problems that we're seeing out there were caused by anywhere form a trace to around two hundredths of an inch," said WRAL meteorologist Mike Moss. "That's all it takes when it's cold enough to turn that thin layer into ice. It's very slippery."

Raleigh police said early Saturday that they had responded to wrecks within the city limits{{/a}}. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said troopers responded to 260 crashes, as well.

Flights in to and out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport were not been affected. Saturday night should remain dry without precipitation. Some area of dense fog is possible.

Temperatures will climb even higher on Sunday as a warm front takes the place of the retreating cold. Many cities around the region will see temperatures climb to 70 degrees or higher, said WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth.

Late in the day Sunday, a second cold front will follow the unseasonably warm temperatures from the afternoon.

"That front brings the potential of more rain Sunday late afternoon and evening," Wilmoth said. "Showers are possible the second half of Sunday as the cold front arrives from the west."

Sunday night into Monday will be much colder with temperatures in the 30s. Tuesday will be chilly as well with partly cloudy skies and highs in the 40s.