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

Fayetteville dodged a date with freezing temperatures this morning — much to the delight of early-bird gardeners.

Temperatures dipped below freezing to the north and west. The entire region should see a warm spell arrive, with highs nearing 80 degrees by Thursday.

Does winter have one more push left? Quite possibly, toward the end of the month. If not, Feb. 22 will stand as the last night we hit freezing in the city.

Here's the setup

High pressure will move from Tennessee to offshore overnight. The Cape Fear region will see brisk northwest winds today, giving way to a warmer flow by mid-week. No rain is in sight.

The setup over the Carolinas screams late-winter warmup, with plenty of sun and a light breeze. After a low in the mid- to upper 30s tonight, look for temperatures Tuesday to begin climbing. Fayetteville should see 70 on Tuesday, mid-70s on Wednesday and possibly 80 on Thursday. Lows will surge from the upper 40s to mid-50s.

This is great for outdoor activity, but misery for allergy sufferers. By Thursday, we should see another burst of pollen across the region. Maples and elm join the mix this week as Bradford pears pass their peak.

The weekend

By Friday, another system will approach the Carolinas. It's a similar-looking setup to last weekend, although for now I don't see a Saturday washout. Best rain chances appear to be on Friday afternoon and after sundown, with clearing on Saturday. Highs Friday should again be near 80, depending on clouds.

Saturday will be drier, perhaps with some lingering showers and a high near 75. Another round of showers will likely approach on Sunday, with a high in the mid-70s. Lows all weekend will stay in the mid-50s in Fayetteville.

Down the road

Another front will finally push through, bringing dry conditions and cooler temperatures next week. Temperatures look seasonal, low to mid-60s, with lows in the upper 30s to low 40s. Conditions out West favor a Carolina cooling trend toward the end of the month, but nothing to frighten gardeners — and certainly nothing to thrill snowhounds.

Have a great week!

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