Unsettled weather for next 36 hours

Last Sunday, we had winter. Now it's time for spring weather.

Much warmer and unsettled conditions are expected over the Charlotte region during the next 36 hours, as a low pressure system and then a cold front cross the area.

Two rounds of thunderstorms are possible in Charlotte, along with temperatures that climb into the middle 60s today and approach record levels in the mid 70s Thursday.

Following all that will be a return to cooler readings this weekend.

It was less than three days ago when a bit of sleet and snow fell in Charlotte, but the pattern has changed considerably. Under mostly sunny skies, temperatures are predicted to climb rapidly today.

Forecasters say the warmth will be accompanied by gusty winds.

Also arriving, later today, will be an area of thunderstorms that was over Tennessee this morning. The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., says severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon in the mountains and western part of South Carolina.

Those storms will arrive during peak heating hours, forecasters say. The unsettled weather will move into the foothills and Piedmont after dark, which will lessen the chances of severe weather.

"There will be a chance for an isolated severe storm in the Piedmont, but the highest chances will be in the mountains," said Doug Outlaw, of the National Weather Service office in Greer, S.C. "By the time the storms get into the Piedmont, it'll be after sunset."

Skies are expected to clear again overnight, setting the stage for a very warm day Thursday.

Highs are predicted to reach the low and middle 70s. The record high in Charlotte for Thursday is 76 degrees, set in 1980. Interestingly, several inches of snow fell in Charlotte about a week after that record was set.

A cold front will sweep across the Carolinas early Friday, possibly accompanied by another round of storms. Once again, severe weather will be a possibility. This time, though, the highest chance is expected to be east of the Charlotte area, as the storms are strengthened by the return of daylight heating.

A return to colder weather is predicted for Saturday and Sunday. Highs on Saturday will be in the low to mid 50s, with a gusty northwest wind. Sunday's highs are expected to be in the middle 50s.

The outlook for next week is uncertain. Some of the computer models hint at a return of stormy conditions, perhaps accompanies by chilly temperatures.