North Carolina Weather 3/6 Morning - 51° Above Normal

Good morning. North Carolina. I'm Aaron Jolly. Step outside right now and you'll feel something that has no business showing up this early. We're sitting at 61 degrees. And honestly? This is just the warm-up act. By mid-afternoon, the Piedmont hits 80 degrees. The Triangle pushes even warmer at 82. Western North Carolina climbs to 77. We're talking 51 degrees above normal — the kind of warmth you'd expect in mid-May, not early March. Near-record territory statewide. Around 2 P.M., watch for a few brief thunderstorms to pop up across the Piedmont and the mountains. Nothing severe, just the atmosphere releasing some built-up energy. Most of you won't see a drop, but if you hear a rumble, don't be shocked. Tonight stays ridiculously mild. Lows only dip to the low 60s statewide. That's warmer than many spring afternoons. Leave the heavy blankets in the closet. Saturday continues the trend with highs in the upper 70s. Morning fog is possible, especially along the coast and in the Sandhills, so give yourself extra time if you're heading out early. Otherwise, expect partly sunny skies and light southwest winds. Sunday is when things shift. A weak front slides in, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms. Rain chances jump to 60 percent, especially in the afternoon. Highs still reach the upper 70s before the front arrives. Looking ahead, this unseasonable warmth sticks around all week. Monday through Wednesday, expect highs in the low 80s with daily chances for afternoon showers. The spring equinox is just two weeks away. And we're getting a serious preview. Perfect weather for a lunch break outside if you ask me. Just don't get too used to it. See you tomorrow. For the extended outlook, check the latest forecast See you tomorrow.