The final March weekend will feel more like May

A warm front (red scalloped line on graphic) ahead of the next storm system will push north of Mecklenburg County today. 

Forecast surface map 8 p.m. Friday

Thus, after morning cloudiness the sky will turn mostly sunny this afternoon. Temperatures will soar into the mid-70s as southwesterly winds - gusting over 20 mph - pump warmer air into the county. That wind direction will also bring in more moisture, helping local dew points to climb out of their desert-dry regime.

Tonight more clouds will roll in ahead of an upper level disturbance, but no rain is anticipated. Saturday then looks to be partly sunny with continued gusty southwest winds. Local thermometers have a very good chance at reaching the 80º mark tomorrow afternoon, roughly 15 degrees above the average for the end of March.

By Sunday enough moist air will have pushed into the county that showers are likely after lunch. Rain amounts will be light, likely less than a tenth of an inch. Skies on that latter weekend day will be mostly cloudy, but temperatures will still top out in the upper 70s accompanied by continued vigorous southwesterly winds.

All eyes are then on the potential for severe weather Monday as a strong cold front punches into the warm moist air. Sunday's blogpost will take a closer look at that.