Raleigh, N.C. — Quickly changing weather will move North Carolinians from a hot muggy day and a stormy night Wednesday to a frosty morning by Saturday.

Sunshine was helping to raise temperatures Wednesday. The high will be in the mid 80s, likely setting a new daily record.

"It's warm. It's muggy. It's going to feel like summer," WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

Central North Carolina faces two scenarios that could set off severe weather: an unstable atmosphere combined with heat in Wednesday evening and the passage of a cold front early Thursday.

The heat and instability in the atmosphere could produce severe weather through about 9 p.m. A tornado watch is in effect for 14 counties, including Durham, Orange, Chatham, Granville, Person and Vance counties.

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A second round of severe weather could follow when the cold front passes through the state around 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. Thursday.

Strong to severe thunderstorms, isolated tornadoes, damaging wind, heavy rain and flash flooding are possible.

The chance of severe weather and rain will taper off Thursday morning. Humidity will also drop, and Thursday's high will be around 80 degrees.

By Friday, the cold weather will have taken hold, and it will feel like fall again.

"Once we get to the weekend it looks nice. It's going to be much cooler," Gardner said. "By Friday and Saturday, we're certainly expecting some pleasant weather."

Friday will be sunny and clear, with low humidity and a high around 63 degrees. Overnight Friday, temperatures will drop into the mid 30s, and frost could form Saturday morning.

Cooler, sunny weather will prevail throughout the weekend. Saturday and Sunday will see highs in the mid 60s to low 70s.