RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Good morning! A brief cold snap will give way to an extended warm stretch to start next week.
Light showers continue in our southeastern zones after 0.44" at RDU. Otherwise, we're in for clearing skies and a dry day, but it will remain quite chilly, as a north-northwest breeze drags modified Arctic air into the region. Gusts could top out in the 20-25 mph range and we will struggle to approach even yesterday's highs in the mid-40s.
A clear night tonight will bring temperatures down near 20, the coldest since that incredible post-Christmas blast. Wind chills will range from 10-15 degrees north to 15 to 19 degrees from the Triangle and south. Saturday will remain cold in the afternoon, with highs in the mid 40s and afternoon wind chills in the upper 20s to mid 30s. Lows Saturday night will be closer to 30 before bigger change arrives.
Sunday will deliver another temperature boost to around 50 with continued south-southwesterly winds, but more clouds than sun as a disturbance tracks through the East. We're starting to see signs that this feature could even touch off some showers, especially east of our area.
Climatologically speaking, we have officially broken free from the coldest few days of the year and we will now pick up a full six degrees on our average high through the end of the month. It's just something to keep in mind as we compare temperatures to normal moving forward.
Highs will remain not too far from 60 in the early part of the upcoming week with more sun than clouds, as high pressure holds firm. This will allow a weak cool front to approach very early Wednesday, but it looks to wash out or simply turn stationary nearby, with very little drop in temperatures behind it.
Enjoy your day!
Kweilyn Murphy
