Tuesday was the last day of this bitter blast that plunged the state into wintry bitterness. The winds are starting to change direction. Cold Canadian air will begin to retreat north and milder, if not warmer, air will ride up the East Coast thawing the state for a bit.

Wednesday will be mainly sunny and seasonable. Temperatures will feel warmer because of that polar plunge we've just been under.

Low to mid-40s is exactly where the mercury in the thermometer needs to be this time of year. And it will continue to rise for Thursday to early Friday morning.

Out ahead of a storm that will cruise east along the U.S./Canadian border, the winds will pick up moving that milder Carolina air in our direction. 50’s! Yes, you read that correctly. 50’s for Thursday and early Friday. I wish it would come with sunshine. It does not.

Those same winds whipping up the warmer air, will also be scooping up Gulf moisture. The warmer the air the more moisture it can hold, and it looks like we got doused.

Two things to keep an eye out for late Thursday into Friday:

1. Milder air will really get to melt the snowpack.

2. Copious amounts of rain will fall from the sky. This will lead to bigger standing water issues for Friday mornings commute to work and school. Allow for extra time to get ready.