Happy Meteorological Spring. Warm Today but Cold Weather To Start Work Week.

Good warm Sunday Afternoon to everyone. Welcome to Meteorological Spring. For climate purposes, today is actually the first day of Spring, even though we are still about 19-20 days away from the Spring Solstice. March has arrived like a lamb, but it will show some attitude tomorrow, just showing how much of a roller coaster this month can be.

Cloud cover is increasing this afternoon out ahead of an approaching cold front that will sag through the area this evening, ushering in cold air from the northeast tonight. By 7:00 pm tonight, the front should be draped along the NC/SC border and sliding south. This will signal the temporary end to the warm temps across the area on Sunday. High temperatures for Monday will be reached at midnight, but by Monday afternoon, temps will have dropped into the upper 30s and 40s. The good news is that any threat of freezing rain late Monday has shifted farther north, and even the mountains are likely to miss any significant ice accretion. The bad part about all of this is that there is no significant precipitation expected from this system to help relieve the drought conditions. In fact, those drought conditions will likely expand this week.

Late Monday Night temps will start to recover slowly as the cold front lifts back north as a warm front. By the time it is time to get up for work and school on Tuesday Morning, temps will likely be around 40° with a few locations in the low 40’s. Tuesday will remain mainly cloudy, though rain chances are very limited. System total rain will likely be below 0.1 inch. High temps Tuesday should reach the mid-50s across the area, signalling a warmer mid- and late week ahead.

Tuesday Night temps will remain in the mid- to upper 40s thanks to southwesterly breezes. Skies will also partially clear out. That will set the stage for a warm Wednesday with temps quickly jumping up to around 70°.

Thursday, gradient winds will pick up from the southwest. These winds will usher in even warmer temperatures on Thursday and Friday. Fire weather will remain moderate as winds will not mix with low humidity levels this week.

While next Saturday looks very nice, clouds increase Saturday Night ahead of the next cold front. Right now, much of that front’s attendant moisture will remain northwest of the area, though some shower chances will be carried Sunday – Wednesday. Typical March winds are likely through the weekend as well.

No huge cold snaps are in sight, but some nights below freezing will return to the area in about 15-20 days.