Arctic air arrives behind front; freezing rain possible Sunday

Rain arrived in the Triangle early Saturday, and temperatures fell from the mid-50s into the mid-40s by 7:30 a.m. Light showers are possible throughout the day, but much of the area will avoid drenching rain as the cold air settles in.

"We had highs near 80 degrees across much of the area on Friday, and we're seeing 30-to 35-degree differences early Saturday," WRAL meteorologist Nate Johnson said. "This is going to be a rapid change in pattern behind this front."

Weather Alerts

On Sunday morning, as another bit of moisture moves into the area, freezing precipitation is possible in the northwest parts of the Triangle and western parts of the state. 

Temperatures will be near freezing early in the day and will struggle to climb out of the 30s during the afternoon. 

"It's going to be interesting to see where this freezing rain falls," Johnson said. "The best chances are to the north and west of the Triangle through about midday, but I don't think it will be too big of a deal in Raleigh and areas to the south and east."

Because of the threat, the National Weather Service issued advisories for several central North Carolina counties. Alamance and Person counties are under an ice storm warning from 4 a.m. Sunday to 12 a.m. Monday. 

Chatham, Durham, Granville, Orange, Vance and Warren counties are under a freezing rain advisory from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. 

"Some of the spots to our north and west could see some significant icing," Johnson said. "We could see enough to have some power outages."

Rain showers will linger in the area on Monday, but high temperatures will return to the upper 50s after starting in the mid-30s. 

Sunshine returns on Tuesday, setting up a cool, dry week with highs in the mid-40s and lows in the upper 20s during the second half of the work week."