Raleigh, N.C. — Three days of mild temperatures and sunny skies are coming to a rapid end late Monday as a cold front swoops into the region from the west, bringing a blast of chilly air and possibly rain.

"The front will be moving into North Carolina during the later portions of today," WRAL meteorologist Mike Moss said. "We'll get behind that front and into a north and northeasterly wind flow that will leave us with much cooler temperatures."

Monday's high of 74 degrees marks a third consecutive day of warm weather that is "absolutely unbelievable for November," WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said.

But even as residents raced to soak up the last rays Monday afternoon, clouds were moving in. The predicted high for Tuesday is 57 degrees, but that's "deceptive," Wilmoth warned.

That 57 will be hit shortly after daybreak Tuesday, she explained, then temperatures will drop into the 40s by late afternoon.

A chance of light rain and isolated thunderstorms extends throughout the day.

Behind the cold front, partly sunny and cool weather will settle in. Highs in the 50s stretch throughout the week – including for the Raleigh Christmas Parade on Saturday.

"It will be chilly" but sunny for the parade, Wilmoth said. It will likely be in the 40s when the parade steps off and into the low 50s by the end.