After clouds move out, central NC to get blast of arctic air

Central and eastern North Carolina will start the week damp and cool, with rain showers possible Monday evening, but an arctic blast is on the way for the middle of the week that will generate temperatures well below average.

Parts of the region saw wintry precipitation on Sunday, prompting some school delays Monday morning, but no major issues were being reported on area roads during the Monday commute.

WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said Monday temperatures will climb into the low 50s under partly sunny skies, but a cold front pushing through the state could bring showers to the Triangle by the evening commute.

"There is no question that any precipitation we see today will be rain," she said. "Our best chance for showers will be between 5 and 9 p.m., and we'll be well above freezing during that time."

Clouds will clear out overnight, and lows will dip to near freezing Tuesday morning. A brief round of precipitation could move through Tuesday, producing possible sprinkles or flurries, but Gardner said amounts will be very light.

High temperatures Tuesday will be only slightly below normal in the mid-40s, but that will be the last time all week with highs anywhere near normal.

"We're going to see a major arctic blast on Wednesday and then another one on Sunday," Gardner said. "It's going to be crock pot weather for the last half of the week."

Highs Wednesday will be in the upper 30s, and on Thursday temperatures will only be in the mid-30s. Overnight lows will be in the low 20s from Tuesday to Friday, and teens are possible over the weekend.

Highs Friday and Saturday will remain cold, topping out in the upper 30s to near 40 degrees.