Raleigh, N.C. — Temperatures dropped into the upper 20s to near 30 early Friday as skies cleared behind a passing cold front that brought rain to the Triangle early Thursday. 

Highs will only climb to near 50 degrees Friday after almost reaching 80 Wednesday ahead of the front that dropped up to a half an inch of rain in some areas of the Triangle Thursday, WRAL Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. 

"It is Friday morning and it is cold," Gardner said. "The cold front that came through Thursday is gone, skies are clear but remember, it is very chilly today. You're going to need the coats almost all day today."

Skies will remain clear throughout the next few days thanks to a high pressure system, Gardner said. 

Temperatures will bottom out around 30 again Friday night, making heavy jackets and hats a necessity for crowds attending high school football playoff games in the area. 

"It is that time of year, of course we do expect cold temperatures," Gardner said. "We've already seen freezing temperatures so this is certainly not our first freeze. It is some of the colder air we've seen so far this year."

More Info     2012 WRAL Raleigh Christmas Parade

Saturday morning will be chilly around the start of the WRAL Raleigh Christmas Parade, presented by the Greater Raleigh Merchant's Association, but will warm up into the upper 50s during the day. The mercury will dip again to around the freezing mark at night.

"The temperatures will impact your trip out to watch the Christmas parade," Gardner said. "Be sure to bundle up, at parade start time temperatures will still be in the mid to upper 30s. 

Sunday will see a significant warm-up to the upper 60s, where highs will stay through the beginning of the work week. Lows will also see a warm-up, from mid-40s on Sunday night to upper 60s.