Chilly breeze, clear skies hold temps in check

Despite widespread sunshine, the temperature Friday failed to get out of the mid-50s, off 15 degrees from the average for this time of the year.

The season's first freeze is forecast for early Saturday morning, and the overnight low could dip into the upper 20s.

An area of high pressure kept a cap on temperatures through the day Friday, and wind from the north made it feel even cooler. By kickoff Friday evening for high school football, temperatures could be in the 40s, but the wind should ease through the evening.  

A freeze warning blankets the midsection of the state through early Saturday.

At the Carolina Farmers Market, Brandy Wologo was advising those with outdoor plants to cover or bring them indoors.

"If you have any doubt in your mind about them being a winter plant, cover them up, bring them in just so your plants can survive," she said.

Marty Johnson, of Fayetteville, said she'd be sorry to see the end of the growing season sap the color from her plants, but the change to fall brings its pleasures as well.

"I don't like the really, really cold, but I do like to have a fire in the fireplace – so that makes it nice and cozy," she said.

The last time it's been this chilly this early in the season in Fayetteville was 1992. Usually, the first freeze comes after Halloween.

"We just have to make it through one night," said WRAL meteorologist Nate Johnson.

"After Saturday morning, we're on a warming trend that will extend into the work week," Johnson said.

After a cold start, temperatures should rise to about 60 degrees Saturday, to 65 on Sunday and then climb slowly through the 70s throughout the week, he said.