Arctic air returns late Monday behind cold front

Rain showers pushed east of the Triangle after lunchtime Monday, allowing the colder air to begin its trek south and east.

"The cold air is definitely coming," WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

Temperatures were in the low 40s at 1 p.m. after reaching their high points overnight. As colder air arrives, temperatures will fall back into the 30s during the day.

Winds will increase throughout the day as well, gusting 20 to 25 mph during the afternoon and evening.

"It won't be a very pleasant evening," Gardner said. "Don't let the warmer temperatures this morning fool you, you're going to need something warm by the afternoon and evening."

Skies will be partly cloudy Tuesday and some flurries are possible, but highs will remain in the upper 30s.

"We could see flurries flying anywhere, but we're not expecting to see much in the way of accumulation," Gardner said.

Wednesday temperatures will reach the mid-40s before falling quickly ahead of another system that could produce more snow for the Triangle.

"We're still a little bit too far away to talk specifics with Wednesday night into Thursday, but we could be dealing with another winter storm and some snow overnight," Gardner said.

Highs Thursday, Friday and Saturday will remain in the 30s, and overnight lows will be in the 20s for the bulk of the week.