Sunshiney start to week, but cool, wet end looms

Raleigh, N.C. — A ridge of high pressure building in from the west brought a comfortable start to the weekend – but only for a day.

Saturday was sunny, with highs close to 80 and northwesterly breezes.

The weather was perfect for graduation ceremonies at North Carolina State University, Saint Augustine's College, Peace College and Shaw University.

Conditions could be different on Sunday, though, when Duke University, Meredith College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill hold their graduations.

High pressure will push a front south and out of the state Saturday, but that front will return Sunday and combine with an upper-level trough and low-pressure frontal system.

"That will leave us with very active weather for Mother's Day," WRAL meteorologist Mike Moss said.

The low pressure system will bisect southern North Carolina, creating a good chance of rain and showers.

Southern and eastern parts of the state will also have a slight chance of severe thunderstorms in the afternoon and late evening.

The severity of the weather in central North Carolina depends on where the frontal boundary ends up. If it stays to the south, the air in the Triangle will be too stable for anything other than regular showers.

If the front drifts to the north, though, the region could see some very active storms.

"(That's) something we'll have to keep our eye on, just in case that shifts either northward or southward tomorrow," Moss said.

Mother's Day will also see a significant cool down, with highs ranging from the mid 60s in central North Carolina to the low 70s in points farther south.

Temperatures will dip a couple degrees lower on Monday, and a few showers might linger through the morning.