Weather Permitting: Don't be tempted by balmy temperatures. We're still officially in winter.

I know the weather this week turns the thoughts of folks in the Cape Fear region to gardening.

But before you spread a sheet in the car trunk and head for the nearest gardening center, remember the words (sort of) of Winston Churchill: "Those who do not learn the lessons of gardening are doomed to repeat them."

It's still mid-March, no matter what the thermometer and pollen count say. And there's still potentially freezing cold and frost on the way.

More:Weather Permitting: Allergy-sufferers beware: The pollen count is on the rise in Fayetteville

Here's the setup: High pressure is sitting offshore, creating the early spring we've had in the Carolinas. Temperatures today and Friday will climb into the 80s, with lows holding in the 50s, perhaps 60.

It's not going to last. By late Friday a weak frontal boundary will dip into the Southeast. As it approaches, look for a mild gradient to produce brisk southwest winds and highs in the low 80s for the Cape Fear region. Clouds will arrive overnight, with scattered light showers.

The weekend: The front will stall somewhere over the Carolinas, keeping the heart of cooler weather to our north for now. But we'll see some clouds and isolated showers across the region. Sunday looks cloudier than Saturday. Highs will dip into the mid-70s Saturday and Sunday in Fayetteville, with lows in the low 50s.

Next week: Here's why you'll be glad you didn't plant the garden. A potent cold front tapping air from northern Canada is scheduled to bull through late Sunday or early Monday. 

Little, if any, rain will accompany the passage, but you'll feel the difference on Monday. Brisk, dry northwest winds will hold highs in Fayetteville in the low 60s. That's right about where we should be for mid-March, but 15-20 degrees cooler than the weekend. 

Clear skies at night will allow the temperature to dive into the mid-30s across much of the region. Some spots will be flirting with freezing. If you have any early plants blooming, it's time to break out the sheets and cover them.

The rest of the work week looks seasonal, with highs in the low to mid-60s and lows closer to 40. There's a decent chance of another rain-making system arriving late next week. 

Down the road: We could see another early-spring cold snap toward the end of the month, with temperatures remaining close to normal otherwise. So far, severe weather hasn't popped up for our neck of the woods.

Have a great weekend!

Got a weather question? Chick Jacobs can be reached at ncweatherhound@gmail.com or NCWeatherhound on X/Twitter.