Big warm up arrives mid-week

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Expect mainly sunny skies, dry conditions, light winds, and temperatures a few degrees above the historical average for this time of year. Highs will top out in the upper 70s Monday night.

That surface high shifts eastward for Tuesday, which increases our surface pressure gradient and enhances our winds and increases surface moisture as a result. That southwest flow, combined with skies remaining mainly sunny, will allow for temperatures to start in the 50s Tuesday morning. Highs will climb into the middle 80s during the afternoon.

A strong ridge of high pressure will shift over the Southeast Coast, resulting in high temperatures pushing towards the 90 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. The record high at RDU on Wednesday is 90. Lows will be in the 60s. There will be a spotty shower/thunderstorm risk late in the day on Wednesday.

Highs Friday will be in the mid/upper 80s. A better chance for showers and gusty storms will be Friday and Friday night as the next cold front approaches from the west.

Dry weather is favored for the weekend as cooler high pressure settles back into the region. Highs will be in the mid/upper 70s under sunny skies. Lows will be in the 50s.