Temperatures start on see-saw ride

Monday afternoon has been sunny, with a high in the mid 70s, but a cold front will cross the state this evening.

"We've just been plugging away with these very mild temperatures, and I think people just thought maybe that's the way it would be. But spring, especially March, we tend to see a lot of ups and downs, and finally, we'll see that this week," WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

Overnight Monday, temperatures will drop into the lower 40s and upper 30s. Frost could develop in low-lying and rural areas.

"This is only going to be pockets of frost in highly protected areas, not any widespread, killing frost," WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said. People should protect outdoor plants, especially sensitive ones that might have grown earlier than usual due to the warm weather.

Strawberries sprouting earlier, thanks to warm weather

Tuesday will see a high around 62 degrees – the first below-average daily high since March 10 – and overnight lows in the 40s again.

Fans of warmer weather won't have to do much shivering, though.

"At this latitude, even on a cool day, if you're in direct sunlight, it doesn't feel cold," Fishel said. "Yes, it will be colder Tuesday, but it still should be a very nice day."

As quickly as they drop, the temperatures will rebound. "Our temperatures are going to start doing the yo-yo," Gardner described the pattern.

Wednesday will see a high in the mid 70s, Thursday near 80, and then the upper 60s make a return on Friday. The 70s will be back for the weekend, though.

Overnight temperatures will range from the low 40s to mid 50s.

The next chance for rain doesn't come until next Sunday.