Near-record highs today

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- FIRST ALERT-DENSE FOG: A Dense Fog Advisory is effective until 9am for most of Central NC. Visibilities of one-quarter to one-half mile possible. If driving, slow down, use your low beam headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you. Be especially cautious in school zones and watch for children and the flashing lights of school buses.

FRIDAY: It's quite warm with morning with temps in the 60s and dense fog. A weak cold front will push through Central NC later today. Expect another day of near-record highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. The record high at RDU is 80 set in 1986. Outside of a spotty shower, the day will be dry with gradual clearing this afternoon and evening.

THE WEEKEND: The weekend will be much cooler and seasonable with highs in the upper 60s and lows in the 40s. Expect sunshine Saturday. Clouds will increase Sunday ahead of the next front, which will increase rain chances late Sunday and Monday.

NEXT WEEK: Highs will push back into the mid 70s Monday and Tuesday, followed by a return to seasonable temps Wednesday and Thursday. Highs will be in the mid to upper 60s with lows in the 40s. Shower chances will increase Thursday with the next front.

Rainfall totals are expected to be generally rather low with model consensus coming in between 0.25-0.5". This will help any small streams and rivers but will likely have little to no influence on our drought.

Have a good day-

Kweilyn