After enduring a cold and wet winter, we've seen a protracted period of relatively dry weather across eastern North Carolina.  In fact, much of area is now considered abnormally dry.  In my recent travels across eastern North Carolina I've seen dust flying in fields as tractors plow the soil.  The good news is that our weather pattern is changing over the weekend.  The changes include an increasing moist flow from the Gulf of Mexico and a cold front that will become stationary over eastern North Carolina over the weekend.  This combination should bring a few thunderstorms both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.  Many locations will still not see that much rain but a new cold front will arrive early next week.  It should give us the best chance for widespread rainfall in well over a month.  It is too early to know exactly how much rain will fall but most locations should get a decent amount by the middle of next week.