Chick Jacobs

FAY was not alone ...

Today's high (87 degrees) was a daily record, topping the old mark of 86 in 1948. No worries about setting any records Tuesday. Highs will be lucky to top 60.

So far, this has been a very warm March at all 3 of our climate stations. Through the first 22 days of the month, it's been the 3rd warmest at Greensboro, 3rd warmest at RDU, and 5th warmest at Fayetteville.  The warmest March on record at all 3 stations was 1921.

I believe the peak pollen season is upon us ...

@horrormuseum Dang that Rose Marie! (Not really, she was a jewel!)

Most celebrities we have met, have been WONDERFUL! There is a tiny number that have been jerks. Once there was a famous actress who sent her bodyguard to remove our volunteers from an elevator, so she could get in alone. We had the same credentials as her, but she pulled a power play. We didn't fight it, but we sure as hell remembered it, and have much less respect. And no, it wasn't Chappell Roan.

@AllieJade1 It's been a while, like 50 years, but ... the main thing I remember was it got VERY warm in there.

Being a mascot looks like it's a pretty fun job! Know anyone who had a job as a mascot?

Increased Fire Danger Today from 3 PM to 10 PM. #ncwx

This morning's low in FAY was 66. Tomorrow's high will likely be about 60. Obviously, some big changes are on the way for the Sandhills. Look for a dry front to push through after lunch, with strong north winds driving down temperatures. We'll be in the low 40s by daybreak.

FAY didn't hit 90 this afternoon, so we'll have to settle for tying the record high (88 in 1935). We'll be a bit cooler Monday as a northly flow takes over, then MUCH cooler (high near 60) on Tuesday.

FAY could well be headed for its second 90-degree day in March this afternoon. The last time that happened was in 1910 (March 30 and 31).

So why all the smoke? Well, we are in the spring fire season, and to clear dead and dormant winter vegetation, land managers and the Forest Service will conduct prescribed burns to consume those fuels, maintain a healthy ecosystem, and prevent larger fires. When we have certain wind directions, those smoke plumes blow over you. The fires peak in the mid to late afternoon, when both humidity is lowest, and winds are highest. This will happen every day this weekend and even next week. The fire that caused most of the smoke around Charlotte was clearly visible on the second satellite image this morning, down in South Carolina near Newberry. #cltwx #ncwx sscwx #wc nc #smoke #fire

@MAGACult2 Billy Kwan, The Year of Living Dangerously ... seems apropos for the times:

Ever get a movie quote stuck in your head and like for the rest of your life you can't get it out? Mine is "so this one time, at band camp..." What's yours?

The setup may be conducive for hail and strong downdrafts along the boundary. modeling expects that to be along a general line from CLT to the Grand Strand, but that depends on how quickly the boundary sets up. Watch your p.m. forecasts for more info. It bears watching.

A weak frontal boundary is expected to arrive, stalling over the western Sandhills into the SC Pee Dee. It won't affect temperatures, but it could act as a focus point for strong afternoon/evening storms. 2/x

This morning's low in FAY was 52. That's warmer than the high a couple of days ago. Don't be surprised to see an afternoon high of 82 or so across the Sandhills. There's an interesting possibility of rough weather later today in the western region as well. 1/x

@whfbomb22 True ... perhaps I should have said High Point, rather than Wake. Great game by the Panthers!

@NCWeatherhound I mean I’m a Duke fan but playing later in the NIT or making the big dance. I’m taking the dance.

All week, I've seen folks on Twitter posting about how they remember watching the tournament in class. I'm betting they don't remember a second-half performance like UNC's vs. VCU. Who'd have thought Wake would be playing later than the Heels and Wuffies?

The equinox is tomorrow. On the spring equinox, the sun is directly over the equator That means everyone (including North Carolina) gets roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness After today, our days get longer than our nights — which is why it starts feeling more like spring. The sun returns to shine directly over the equator on the fall equinox in September.

With near-90 temps coming up, I think it's safe to say snow season in the region is over. Gary has put together a 2025-26 snowfall map...like those of us in the "snow hole" needed a reminder.

FAY stayed above freezing this morning (35 degrees) and will warm nicely into the low 70s this afternoon. The Sandhills may see a return to 80 degrees on Saturday, flirting with record highs (88 in 1948) on Sunday.