Wednesday is starting out bitterly cold, with temperatures around 24 degrees and gusty winds from the west northwest. We remain under a freeze warning until 11 a.m.

Those winds might have been helpful, because the frost did not settle on cars, grass or trees. Still, losses will likely be heavy in the state’s fruit crops — peaches, cherries and apples.

In addition to the freeze warnings, we are under increased wildfire danger today and Thursday due to the low humidity and high winds.

It will be a sunny day, but with a high of just 38 degrees. West northwest winds will start out at 5-10 mph, then increase to 12-17 mph, with gusts up to 28 mph.

We will be under another freeze warning beginning at midnight and lasting until 11 a.m. Thursday, with a low temperature tonight of 21 — or colder in open areas. West northwest wind will not be as strong, just 5-8 mph.

Thursday will be sunny and a bit warmer, with a high of 48 and the same west northwest wind at 5-8 mph. Thursday night might bring another freeze warning, as the low drops to 24. Winds will calm.

Friday will be mostly sunny and warmer again, this time near 57. Calm wind will become south southwest at 5-8 mph in the afternoon. Friday night has a 20 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m., with a low of 46.

So begins a warming trend, because Saturday’s high will be 65. There is a 50 percent chance of showers through the day, with mostly cloudy skies. The low will be 35.

Sunday will be a bit cooler, with sunny skies and a high of 57. The low will be 32.

Monday will be sunny and 63, with a low of 44.

Then Tuesday’s high will be 72, with partly sunny skies.

North Carolina weather is truly bizarre.