Saturday's heat sets a record

Saturday's high temperature of 98 degrees blasted past the record for this date, WRAL meteorologist Kim Deaner said.

The previous Sept. 25 high was 92 degrees in 1986.

Saturday was the 91st day of 2010 to top the 90-degree mark.

Sunday's forecast high is 20 degrees cooler for central North Carolina.

Rain could start to move in from the south as early as Saturday evening, and most of the Triangle will see at least a sprinkle on Sunday.

Temperatures may cover a large range Sunday because the front is expected to stall across the region, Deaner said. A few spots north and west of the Triangle won't get out of the 60s, while further south towards the Coastal Plain, temperatures will reach into the 80s Sunday, she said.

"The majority of rain will hold off until Sunday evening," Deaner said.

Rainfall amounts may remain fairly low Sunday, becoming more substantial through the evening and resulting in a steady rain Monday into Tuesday.

"We do need the rain and hopefully, within the next 48 hours or so, we'll get the rain we need," she said.