Raleigh, N.C. — Dreary weather that includes clouds, sprinkles and below-average temperatures will dominate central North Carolina again Wednesday, but a warm-up that will return afternoon highs to the 70s is on the way, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. 

"We've got one more day of this cool, cloudy weather," Gardner said. "It will be especially cloudy early in the day, with some clearing later. And don't be surprised if you run into a sprinkle or light shower at any point."

Temperatures were in the lows 40s at 8 a.m., and were expected to top out in the upper 40s and low 50s across the Triangle after lunchtime, about 15 degrees below normal for early November. 

Late-day clearing will allow overnight temperatures to dip into the mid-30s across much of the area for the rest of the week, but daytime highs will gradually increase beginning Thursday. 

By the weekend, sunshine will accompany highs in the upper 60s to near 70 degrees. 

"The weather over the next few days is going to be ideal for being outside," Gardner said. "It will be cold overnight, but that is to be expected in November. The afternoon highs are really going to be pleasant."

Coastal storm aims for New York, New Jersey

Upper steering currents appear to be carrying a developing nor'easter farther off the North Carolina coast, meaning Outer Banks residents will be spared any further problems as they continue to clean up after Superstorm Sandy.

Andrew McKaughan of the National Weather Service said the storm has trended farther to the east in the past 24 hours. He said it will be nowhere near the intensity of Sandy.

Wednesday's forecast calls for a raw day with temperatures in the low to mid-50s on the northern coast, Winds will reach 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. McKaughan said water levels will rise up to 2 feet on the Outer Banks.

Storm surges along the coasts of New Jersey and New York are expected to reach perhaps 3 feet, only half to a third of what Hurricane Sandy caused last week. While that should produce only minor flooding, it will still likely cause some erosion problems along the Jersey coast and the shores of Long Island, where Sandy destroyed some protective dunes.