A reinforcing shot of cold air arrived in the Triangle Friday as a dry front passed through the state, creating a cold close to the work week, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

Temperatures were in the upper 30s at lunchtime and will likely hover just below 40 degrees all afternoon, and gusty winds will keep wind chills in the 20s.  

"Temperatures that actually felt pretty mild this morning won't feel nearly as good this afternoon," Gardner said. More Info     Winds Speeds and Wind Gusts

Sunshine was out in force despite the cold weather.

Clouds could make it tough for groundhogs Saturday, as highs should top out in the mid-40s after starting near 20 degrees.

Raleigh's Sir Walter Wally will make his winter weather prediction at noon outside the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

By Sunday, a more normal temperature pattern will set up shop and dominate Triangle-area weather for the majority of the next seven days. Highs will top out between 50 and 55 degrees during the day, and lows should bottom out in the upper 20s to near freezing. 

"It's really going to be nice Sunday and into next week," Gardner said. "We don't have any rain in our forecast for the next week."