ICYMI: Is Winter Over? North Carolina Spring Forecast 2019

CHARLOTTE, NC — With a high temperature expected to hit the 70-degree mark this week, it's a good time to look ahead to what kind of spring the Charlotte-metro region faces: warm and dry or cool and blustery? The National Weather Service, Accuweather, the Weather Channel and both almanacs have all released their long-range forecasts for the next three months, and there are varying theories about what our area can expect.

Spring officially begins Wednesday, March 20. Charlotte, Lake Norman communities and the rest of the Mid-Atlantic region can expect temperatures to be warmer than normal through May, with above-normal chances for precipitation, according to the National Weather Service.

The folks at Accuweather agree, saying that after mid-March the region should finally shake off the winter chill, giving hope to gardeners and weary drivers tired of slick roads.

"Once we get to the later parts of March and the beginning of April, we're expecting a faster transition to spring than last year," said AccuWeather Long-Range Meteorologist Max Vido. In the southeast, that means that this year the threat of a late freeze seems to be low, however its replaced by an higher-than-average expectation of rain.

Temperatures will be near-average or slightly warmer than normal for much of the East Coast in March, says the Weather Channel. Above-average warmth is expected across the region in April and May.

But, the 2019 Farmers' Almanac says spring will take its sweet time arriving, and calls for a rainy stretch through the rest of March and April. In fact, the southeast could likely see severe weather in early April, the almanac said.

The Old Farmers Almanac also calls for an average to slightly warmer-than-average spring for our region. While March will see slightly higher temperatures than normal overall, rain is a current theme all month long with snow still a possibility in northern parts of North Carolina later in the month, it said. April will have average temperatures with slightly lower than average rainfall, and by May, temperatures and precipitation levels will be above normal ranges, it said.

One promising note — the publication also says that North Carolina's summer 2019 will be cooler than normal.

Of course, while it's a relief to not have to bundle up or worry about slick roads when spring arrives, it also kicks off the growing season, and allergies. Tree pollen is the biggest cause of spring allergies, says Patient First, and more than 50 million allergic Americans should brace themselves for sneezes and watery eyes.

Allergic reactions occur when your immune system mistakes a usually harmless substance like pollen for something dangerous. Allergy symptoms often include: Nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy nose, itchy, watery eyes, and sneezing.

Here's a look at the seven-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

This Afternoon (Friday, March 15)
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Southwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. West southwest wind 10 to 13 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday (March 16)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Northwest wind around 8 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind 5 to 7 mph.
Sunday (March 17)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 36.
Monday (March 18)
Sunny, with a high near 59.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Tuesday (March 19)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 36.
Wednesday (March 20)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Thursday (March 21)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

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