More rain likely Thursday as front lingers along NC coast

WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said areas along and east of the Interstate 95 corridor will see the bulk of the rain Thursday, but Triangle residents need to keep rain gear handy, too.

"Make sure to have the rain gear and umbrellas handy again today, because it's going to be wet again," she said. "Areas from Raleigh westward may not see a lot of moderate or heavy rain, but showers are possible all day. And as you go east, those chances will increase."

Many areas in the Triangle saw 1 to 1.5 inches of rain Wednesday, and an additional half an inch of rain is possible Thursday. Areas that see more showers will easily end up with more than 2 inches of rain from the system before it moves out.

Temperatures Thursday will start in the upper 50s and fall throughout the day, settling into the low 50s by the afternoon and then dropping into the 40s during the evening.

"We've got a winter-like pattern building in behind the front, so as the system clears out much colder air will build in behind it," Gardner said.

The cooler temperatures will be accompanied by bright sun to close out the work week.

Highs Friday will be in the upper 40s to near 50 degrees, and weekend temperatures will also be near 50.

"We're going to have a very nice weekend, but it's going to be much more like normal in terms of temperature," Gardner said.