Days in 80s on the way

Temperatures in Raleigh will break the 80-degree mark over the next couple of days. "We are jumping from early spring to early summer weather in one day thanks to high pressure directing a warmer flow of air into the region," said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.

Wednesday started mild and cloudy, but by noon the temperature had climbed to 73 degrees at Raleigh-Durham International Airport and a summery 80 at WRAL Studios on Western Boulevard.

Thursday promises warmth and humidity with a drier breeze from the west. "The west wind blows down the mountains and as this occurs, the air is compressed, heated and dried out," Gardner said.

Some parts of central North Carolina could even see the mercury creep toward 90 degrees before storms and showers cool the air on Friday and Saturday.

"We should remain quite warm into Friday, then the heat should back off a bit into the weekend as we will see more clouds and an increased chance of showers and storms at that time," Gardner said.

By Saturday and Sunday, the chance for storms increases to 50 percent ahead of a cool front that will deliver more seasonable weather for next week.