One-day warmup to produce temps above normal

Lingering fog from a cloudy morning will clear quickly during the afternoon, allowing for a quicker-than-normal warmup through the afternoon. After starting in the 40s, temperatures will climb into the mid-70s by mid-afternoon, about 15 degrees above normal for early March. The record high of 87 degrees, which was set in 1976, will be safe, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

"It will probably be mid-to late-morning before we really start to feel our warmer air, and it will happen very quickly," she said. "Winds will increase throughout the afternoon as our next system approaches, but we should see sunshine in the afternoon."

Clouds will increase overnight, and rain will arrive in the area for the Thursday morning commute, which Gardner said could be a "soaker."

Temperatures will start in the mid-50s overnight but fall throughout the day Thursday, settling in the mid-30s during the afternoon and evening. As the back edge of the precipitation clears out, some of it could change to sleet or freezing rain in the Triangle.

"We don't think this is going to be a huge problem on the roads during the Thursday evening commute because of our warmup, but the bigger concern will probably be on Friday morning because of wet roads," Gardner said. "Once the precipitation moves out, temperatures will plummet back into the low 20s for Friday morning."

Friday will be clear and cold, with day time highs in the mid-30s.

Warmer air returns for the weekend, as highs both Saturday and Sunday will climb into the mid-and upper-50s. Overnight lows will be in the 20s and 30s.