Raleigh, N.C. — Triangle residents woke up Monday to weather so wonderful that they may not have wanted to go to work.

Like bears coming out of air-conditioned hibernation, residents took advantage of the fall-like temperatures to open a window, take an early-morning run, walk the dog an extra lap around the block or dig for that light jacket stashed at the back of the closet.

Temperatures were in the upper 50s across the region this morning and are expected to top out in the low 80s today.

"It's a gorgeous day," WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. "The coolness is here to stay for a while. Be prepared for a lovely week, just not too much to complain about."

A weekend cold front that dumped heavy rain on the Triangle cleared the way for cooler temperatures and a break in humidity.

"Our dewpoint crashed over the weekend," Gardner said. "The lower that number, the lower the humidity. Now that trend will continue for us for the rest of the week."

There will be abundant sunshine and a zero percent chance of rain through Friday.

"Fall is here," WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said. "Enjoy this little touch of fall for the next couple days."

Temperatures will remain in the high 70s and low 80s until Thursday, when the mercury creeps into the mid 80s again.

Monday's expected high of 80 degrees in Raleigh is a far cry from the record 101 reached in 2007. A record of low of 44 happened in 1956.

"It's just a great day to spend a little time outside if you can," Gardner said.