Big cool down headed our way

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Sorry folks, the summer-like temperatures are about to end. Cooler air will filter into the region over the next couple of days as a weak high pressure settles into the middle Mississippi Valley.

As a result, temperatures will trend toward more typical March levels. Thursday will still be fairly warm, with temperatures reaching the mid-70s. On Friday, it will stay mostly in the 60s.

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During this time, the front that just moved through the region will become stationary to our south along the Gulf coast. As it starts to pull in more moisture, the front will send a few clouds into North Carolina, but today and Friday will generally be pleasant with plenty of sunshine.

Over the weekend, we see a trend toward even colder weather. Friday night into Saturday, another cold front will move through. Once again, the front will lack moisture and therefore we will likely just see some cloudiness as the front moves through, with just an isolated shower on Saturday.

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The front will lead an air mass of polar origin into the Southeast. This will result in a trend toward colder-than-average weather for mid-March and a huge contrast to what we experienced yesterday. Typical highs are in the low to middle 60s this time of year, but we will do no better than the 50s on Saturday.

Sunday is looking even colder. For days, our computer model guidance has hinted at a storm system developing in Texas or the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend and tracking by to our south on Sunday. Details remain sketchy on the exact track and timing of the storm at this point, but it looks as though we will get a cold rain from this storm system on Sunday with temperatures in the 40s.

A farther south track of the storm would lead to just a little rain, while a farther north track could lead to a soaking. Snow lovers will be frustrated by this storm; it's just not going to be cold enough to produce a winter storm except possibly in the mountains.