Cold air staying put through work week
Temperatures will climb slowly Tuesday morning, but it will be after lunchtime before they top the freezing mark across much of central and eastern North Carolina, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.
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Despite the gradual warming, bright sunshine could begin to work wonders on the Triangle's icy roads by mid-morning.
"Where the sun is hitting the pavement, we could start to see some melting by 9 or 10 a.m.," Gardner said. "That said, we will be below 32 degrees for the bulk of the morning. Afternoon highs are going to struggle to reach 40 degrees."
Normal daytime highs for early March are near 60 degrees, but the central part of the state won't see temperatures near seasonal averages until Saturday at the earliest. Overnight lows will be at or below freezing.
Temperatures will hover in the mid-40s on Wednesday, and light rain showers are possible east of the Interstate 95 corridor.
On Thursday, a low will move up the East Coast, creating a better chance for rain in the Triangle.
"This is going to be a very cold rain," Gardner said. "Our highs on Thursday will once again be around 40 degrees. Depending on when the precipitation gets to the Triangle, it has a chance to start as a wintry mix."
Rain stays in the forecast early Friday, but gradual clearing will start late in the day as warmer air begins to arrive in the area.
Saturday's highs will be in the mid-60s, and partly cloudy skies will create spring-like conditions. Sunshine stays put on Sunday as highs top out near 60 degrees.
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