Raleigh, N.C. — Voters headed to polling places across central and eastern North Carolina Tuesday will be greeted by cold, cloudy conditions and scattered rain showers, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. 

Despite the dreary Election Day forecast, however, much of the state should avoid any heavy rain that might keep people from going to the polls altogether. For anyone who didn't cast an early ballot, polls open at 6:30 a.m. and will close at 7:30 p.m.

"It's not going to be pouring anywhere, but it's not going to the be the greatest day to stand in long lines," Gardner said. "Be sure to take the jackets along, especially if you are voting before work."

Southern counties will see the greatest chance for a sprinkle or shower Tuesday as a low pressure system continues its trek through Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The system should move into the Atlantic Ocean during the day Tuesday, where it could bring rain to coastal counties in South Carolina and the Tar Heel state.

"The models are really disagreeing about what this system could do once it gets into the Atlantic," Gardner said. "But the Triangle shouldn't see much impact."

Temperatures were in the low 40s across much of the area at noon and were expected to top out about 50 degrees by mid-afternoon, about 15 degrees below normal for early November.

Clouds will stay put Wednesday as temperatures climb into the low 50s, but a late week warm-up could send afternoon highs to near 70 degrees by the weekend. 

"We've got some beautiful weather headed our way to close out the week and over the weekend," Gardner said. "Sunshine will be back by Thursday, and temperatures will gradually climb until they peak on Sunday and Monday of next week."