Raleigh, N.C. — As the cold front that brought rain to central North Carolina Tuesday slides off the coast throughout the day, sunshine – and gradually warming temperatures – will return to the Triangle for much of the next week, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. 

Cold weather won't leave quickly, as temperatures started near freezing Wednesday morning, but by early next week much of the area could see highs back in the 70s. 

"We're really going to get into a very pleasant pattern starting Wednesday, and it's going to be nice for the next several days," Gardner said. "Our temperatures will be above normal by the end of the work week."

The quiet pattern shouldn't include any rain, and clouds will be few and far between. High temperatures will top out in the mid-50s Wednesday afternoon before dipping into the upper 20s overnight under clear skies. 

The slow warm-up will begin in earnest Friday as a high pressure system slides over the area, shifting winds and allowing warmer air to filter in from the south and west. 

"We've got this high that is going to dominate our weather for the next several days, but right now it's to our west and the clockwise flow around it is giving us a northerly flow and keeping temperatures cool," Gardner said. "By Friday and Saturday, our winds will shift."

Temperatures will be in the 60s Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and overnight lows will climb back into the low 40s over the weekend. On Monday, highs could top out around 72 degrees, about 10 to 15 degrees above normal. 

"We're not likely to break any December records for high temperatures, but we won't be far off," Gardner said.