Football fans should bundle up

"On Friday, unfortunately, we have all the sunshine in the world. It's not going to help us get out of the 40s," WRAL meteorologist Nate Johnson said. Some areas along the North Carolina-Virginia line may not get out of the 30s, he said.

Once the sun goes down, it gets even more frigid.

"We have perfect conditions for rapid cooling once the sun sets," Johnson said. "This will be by far the coldest night of the season as a hard freeze is expected."

When the Tarboro Vikings play in the Class 2-A state football championship in Chapel Hill at 7:30 p.m., they'll be dealing with plummeting temperatures that will get into the low 20s before morning.

"The combination of clear skies, light winds and dry air mean we're going to have a very cold night," Johnson said.

It won't get any warmer Saturday, and clouds will start to arrive and thicken as well. Saturday will see a high around 47 degrees.

It will likely stay dry when the South Johnston Trojans fight for the Class 3-AA state football championship at Kenan Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Fans of the Jack Britt Bucaneers playing at 7:30 p.m., though, should keep an eye on the skies for a slim chance of rain.

Overnight, rain from the Deep South will move in and stay in North Carolina for the rest of the weekend. The overnight low will be in the mid 30s.

"Sunday, unfortunately, is looking anything but sunny," Johnson said. "Sunday looks like it's going to be a washout."

As the rain falls, the temperatures will also stay chilly. The high will be in the mid 40s.