Raleigh, N.C. — A powerful cold front that spawned severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings across the nation's midsection Wednesday was making its way into North Carolina Thursday, bringing the chance for some storms in the Triangle. More Info     iControl Interactive Doppler Radar

The risk for severe weather was originally forecast as elevated, but was downgraded Thursday afternoon after condition failed to ripen into widespread thunderstorms.

"There still is the outside chance that later this evening or overnight there could be one or two isolated strong to severe thunderstorms, but it certainly doesn't look like a big deal," said WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel.

Isolated, widely scattered storms sprinkled the area, starting around 3 p.m., but none of them turned severe. 

After a cool start, temperatures climbed into the mid-70s during the afternoon before clouds and moisture associated with the front rolled in. 

Rain chances will peak in the late evening and overnight hours and even lingering into the first half of the day Friday. 

The front should clear the Triangle by the morning commute hours Friday, setting up a sunny afternoon and evening and "beautiful" weekend, said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. Highs Friday should climb into the upper 70s. 

Cool, dry air will filter into the Triangle once again behind the front, setting up back-to-back days of sunshine and temperatures near 70 degrees for the final two days of the NC State Fair. 

"The weekend and early next week looks exceptional," Gardner said. "We will be back up into the 80s by the early part of next week, so definitely above normal by then."