Cool start yields to sunny, clear day

By noon, the temperature had climbed from an overnight low of 50 degrees to a temperate 72 degrees.

Skies stay mostly clear through the week and into the weekend.

WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner explained that high pressure and sinking air clear out the atmosphere of any possible disturbance. A high pressure system is anchored to the north and west of the Triangle, and winds that rotate around it in a clockwise direction bring in clear air, she said.

The coming week is a contrast in humidity from recent days. A low dew point keeps the air dry, making the lower temperatures feel even more refreshing.

"It's time for us to see some of these cooler temperatures," Gardner said.

The mercury dipped into the low 50s across the Triangle early Monday, about 10 degrees lower than normal and the coolest temperature reading since May, Gardner said.