Bracing for a big freeze in North Carolina

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Brace yourselves, temperatures are about to plunge.

Saturday will be sunny and chilly with highs reaching the mid 50s, but it will be windy. Gusts up to 40 miles per hour are possible behind a cold front that will move offshore through the day.

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A Wind Advisory is in effect through 8 p.m. tonight.

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Humidity values will fall to 20 to 25 percent this afternoon. When you couple that with the gusty winds, it will make conditions ripe for fire danger. As a result we have a Red Flag Warning in effect through 8 p.m. tonight as well.

Arctic high pressure will build into the area tonight, prompting a freeze warning. Temperatures will fall into the 20s.

It's a good idea to bring sensitive potted plants indoors, and cover plants that you can't. Make sure pets have a warm place to go, away from the wind, with fresh drinking water.

The coldest air will eave the region on Sunday and a nice warmup will take place for the start of next week. Readings rise back into the 70s are expected by Monday. That's more typical for early April.

An approaching cold front will bring some rain and thunderstorms Tuesday. We will cool down slightly, into the 60s for the end of next week.