Raleigh, N.C. — Precipitation that included sleet and freezing rain at times tapered off in the Triangle after the morning commute Friday, setting up a dreary, cold close to the work week. 

Temperatures were in the mid-30s at 9 a.m. across much of the area and aren't expected to climb past 40 degrees during the afternoon. 

Clouds will stay put as a storm system slides up the East Coast during the day Friday, keeping spotty drizzle in the forecast throughout the late morning and afternoon. 

"We avoided the icy roadways, which was a nice change compared to our most recent winter weather events," WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. "We'll stay bitterly cold during the day, but it never got cold enough early today to cause any major issues."

A number of area school systems, including Wake, Durham and Orange counties, were opening late Friday due to the threat of slick roads. 

A winter weather advisory posted for the northern half of the state will expire at 10 a.m. 

A second band of rain, heavier and more widespread, will move in Friday night and linger into Saturday, Gardner said. By Saturday evening, some spots in central North Carolina could see up to 2 inches of rain.

Sunshine will return briefly on Sunday as highs top out in the upper 50s, but rain chances will return Monday and Tuesday.