Raleigh, N.C. — The unseasonably warm weather the Triangle enjoyed over the weekend came to an abrupt end Tuesday morning as a cold front continued to linger over the central and southern part of the state, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. 

That front, which was also helping spawn light showers in spots north and west of the Triangle early Tuesday, will continue to impact weather in the area for the next two or three days. Depending on its position, temperatures could vary greatly from north to south. 

Early Tuesday, temperatures near the Virginia border were in the low 40s while spots near Fayetteville were in the upper 50s. 

"It's going to be interesting for us the next couple of days because of this front, which is essentially draped across the southern coastal plain this morning," Gardner said. "It's going to have a pretty significant impact on our weather."

Skies will stay mostly cloudy Tuesday as light rain showers help keep temperatures in the upper 40s, about 20 degrees colder than the highs recorded across the area Sunday afternoon. 

On Wednesday, the front will slide northward, allowing temperatures in the 60s to accompany a passing daytime shower. 

"It's just going to shift back and forth," Gardner said. "After Wednesday's warmer highs, we will be right back into the upper 40s and low 50s Thursday."

Once the front clears late Thursday or early Friday, sunshine will return to accompany cold overnight lows and much more normal daytime highs for January.