Why It Will Look Warm Today… But Won’t Feel Like It

If you step outside later this morning, you may think winter finally packed up and left. Sunshine will be plentiful across Rowan County today, and by this afternoon the sky will look more like early spring than February.

But don’t be fooled — it will still feel cool.

Sunshine Can Be Deceptive in February

Today’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies, which naturally makes it feel like temperatures should be warmer than they actually are. However, even with full sun, afternoon highs will only climb into the mid-40s.

This happens often in late winter. The sun angle is higher than it was in January, so sunlight feels stronger, but the air mass over the region remains cool. That disconnect between what you see and what you feel is why today will look warm but won’t deliver true warmth.

Cold Start, Modest Afternoon Improvement

The morning will begin cold, with temperatures starting near or below freezing in parts of Rowan County. As the sun rises higher, temperatures will slowly improve, but the warming will be limited.

By mid to late afternoon:

• Sunshine will dominate

• Winds will remain light

• Temperatures will still struggle to get much beyond the mid-40s

That combination makes it a decent day to be outside, but still very much jacket weather.

Why It Still Won’t Feel Like Spring Yet

Even on sunny days like today, the ground and air are still holding onto winter’s chill. Overnight lows below freezing keep soil temperatures cold, and without a warmer air mass moving in, sunshine alone can only do so much.

The good news is that this is not the end of the story.

A Real Warmup Is Right Around the Corner

A noticeable warmup is expected to arrive on Tuesday, with highs jumping well into the 60s. That will be the day when it not only looks warm — it will actually feel warm.

Until then, today serves as a classic February reminder:
Sunshine helps, but it doesn’t guarantee warmth.