Cool, breezy end to the weekend; finally clear air

“We’ve been watching our cold front move through the area this afternoon,” said meteorologist Mike Maze. “In the Triangle, there wasn’t much in the way of rain, just a few sprinkles.”

While northern states like Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania will wake up to snow tomorrow morning, North Carolinians will wake up to a beautiful Sunday perfect for a fall day outdoors.

“Around here, it will be sunshine, it will be windy, and it will be cool,” Maze said.

Expect temperatures in the high-40s to low-50s. The upcoming work week will gradually warm up, and by Thanksgiving temperatures should be back in the 60s.

“If there is any rain, it will probably be Thanksgiving Day, maybe Black Friday,” Maze said.

Look forward to cool temperatures tonight with a low of 33 and breezy winds. Especially with the rampant wildfires in the western part of the state, be especially careful and avoid burning anything outdoors with the increased winds.

North Carolina state parks have banned cooking and campfires this weekend for all state parks east of Interstate 95 due to these conditions.

“There is increased fire dangers tonight with dry air and gusty winds that will blow dry fuel sources such as leaves and pine straw,” Maze said.

Maze referenced the GOES-R next generation weather satellite NASA launched Saturday evening.

WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth was at the launch in Cape Canaveral with updates. The next-generation weather satellite will provide faster and clearer images for more accurate weather forecasts.

Compared to Friday, many in the Triangle are breathing a little easier this weekend after the thick haze of smoke moved in to the area from the western wildfires.

“There was a lot of particulate matter in the air,” Kendra Hudson said. You could really see the light reflecting off of it and smell it, and feel it in your lungs also. How does that affect what you do? It makes it a little harder to get from point A to point B.”

Especially for those who work outdoors and those with respiratory problems, Saturday's fresh air was a great improvement.