The "Wedge's" retreat = immediate spring-like conditions

Tuesday's failure to meet forecast high temperatures was a direct result of a stubborn cold air damming wedge. Once established across the Piedmont east of the Appalachians, that thin but dense layer of chilly moist surface air is difficult to dislodge. Last night, however, "Da Wedge" finally broke and local thermometers began to rise during the wee hours. Thus this - Wednesday - morning began with sunshine and temperatures which already exceed yesterday's maxima as of the time of this writing.

As today progresses the increasingly strong March sunshine coupled with southwesterly breezes will boost afternoon highs into the low 70s. Meanwhile, a cold front is perched across far northern Virginia:

That boundary looks to stall up that way, wobbling north and south a bit until the weekend. The upper level winds are in "zonal flow", blowing basically west to east and not providing a push to move that front. The cooler air will thus remain locked up well north of Mecklenburg County, which will bask in the warm air to the south.

Thursday and Friday will then feature repeats of today's conditions, but with steadily warming temperatures. Highs tomorrow afternoon will approach 80º, while Friday looks to reach into the low 80s. Welcome to that spring feeling!