Weekend to include cold temps, sunshine and showers

Temperatures were in the upper 20s and low 30s across much of the Triangle early Friday, and despite sunny skies, the afternoon highs will reach only into the upper 40s, about 10 to 15 degrees below normal.

"It will be noticeably cooler today than we were on Thursday, so grab those hats and jackets," Gardner said.

Temperatures will fall quickly after sunset Friday, falling into the mid-30s by the time Triangle high school football teams kickoff and into the upper 20s overnight.

When the WRAL-TV Raleigh Christmas Parade begins at 10 a.m., temperatures will be in the mid-30s despite continued sunshine. Daytime highs will end up in the low 50s during the afternoon.

"If you're headed out early Saturday to get a good spot along the parade route, plan accordingly, because it's going to be quite cold," Gardner said.

Slightly warmer air will arrive in the area on the final day of the weekend, but so too will clouds and rain as a system pushes through the state.

Rain chances will increase throughout the afternoon and evening, Gardner said. High temperatures will be in the low 60s Sunday.

"Rain will linger overnight and likely during the morning on Monday," Gardner said. "The warm air will stick around, too, at least on Monday. Highs could be back in the 70s."

The warm-up will be over quickly, however, as temperatures will return to the mid-50s by the middle of next week.