Cold to settle in for a long time

Raleigh, N.C. — With mild temperatures in the high 50s, cold weather seemed far away Thursday. However, two cold fronts will deliver a double punch that will keep North Carolina chilly into next week.

"Today's likely to be the nicest of the next seven," WRAL Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

A cold front will roll in overnight, ushering in clouds and chillier air. That will yield a high about 49 degrees  and low around 30 degrees Friday.

"As soon as the front goes on by overnight, temperatures will be decidedly cooler for the next several days," WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said.

Overnight, there's a small chance of spotty, light showers. On Friday morning, southern North Carolina, including Fayetteville and Clinton, could see a few showers, but areas from the Triangle northward will see more sunshine.

The chilly air will stay in place Saturday, and then another cold front rolls in Sunday, producing highs in the 40s and lows below the freezing mark.

"Before we even have a chance to see our temperatures moderate, here comes shot No. 2. And this one looks even colder," Fishel said.

The second cold front will come in from Canada and across the Great Lakes into the eastern United States – a cooler trajectory than Thursday and Friday's cold front.

"Boy, the East Coast has been chilly for the past month, almost six weeks, and it doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon," Gardner said.