Sunshine, warm air staying put throughout weekend

In fact, southwesterly winds ahead of the front will help afternoon highs on Friday climb into the upper 70s. 

"We're starting the day 10 to 15 degrees warmer than we did on Thursday morning, and it's going to be nice and warm for our Friday," WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said.

Winds could gust up to 20 mph during the afternoon and evening, and clouds will thicken late in the day as the front nears. Still, no rain is expected headed into the weekend. 

On Saturday, highs will climb to near 80 degrees under partly cloudy skies. 

"We'll start in the 50s Saturday, and most of us are going to stay partly cloudy during the day," Wilmoth said. "Areas to the south and east have a slight chance to see a stray sprinkle or shower, but this is very slight. Most of us will stay dry."

Temperatures will be in the mid-50s when runners take off at 6 a.m., and highs will climb into the upper 70s to near 80 degrees by Sunday afternoon. Southwesterly winds could gust between 15 and 20 mph throughout the final day of the weekend, Wilmoth said. 

"It will be very nice at start time, probably in the upper 50s to near 60," she said. "But by 11 a.m., we'll be up into the low 70s. It will be warm, for sure."

The next chance for rain arrives Monday night and Tuesday.