If you woke up this morning thinking it actually felt warmer than when you went to bed — you were right.
Temperatures across the Cape Fear region climbed overnight, starting the day in the mid-60s. By this afternoon, most of us should be a good 60 degrees warmer than the shivering mid- to upper teens we had at the start of the week.
This morning’s low — if “low” is the right word — in Fayetteville of 64 smashed the previous “high-low” record of 59, set in 1913. Look for another record tonight.
Today’s high, while impressive, won’t be a record in Fayetteville. That mark is 78 degrees, set in 1943.
This dalliance with an early spring will linger through the weekend accompanied by scattered showers and morning fog. By early next week, the region will return to more normal temperatures and sunshine.
Here’s the setup: An unusually strong southeastern ridge is holding firm over the Carolinas, pumping warm, moist air into the Cape Fear region. A few packets of energy will track across the Carolinas, resulting in clouds and scattered showers, especially as we head into the weekend. But after the workout everyone’s heating systems got last week, they’ll get a well-deserved break until at least Monday.