After cold snap, warmer weather moves in Friday

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist

Raleigh, N.C. — Temperatures were in the high 20s across central North Carolina on Friday morning, but without a strong wind chill, it felt warmer than Thursday morning.

WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said Friday is expected to warm more throughout the day, with a high of 53 degrees.

A high-pressure system near the North Carolina coast will funnel warm air from the southwest into the state. Cold precipitation from Kentucky and other northwestern areas will move above the high-pressure system and miss North Carolina.

Saturday is expected to be beautiful, Gardner said, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 60s.

“It’s going to feel wonderful compared to yesterday’s 39 degrees,” Gardner said.

Sunday will be partly cloudy and a smidge colder, with temperatures in the high 50s.

A coastal system will brush along Interstate 95 and eastward Sunday, bringing a chance for showers.

Monday and Tuesday will be partly cloudy and warmer. The high Tuesday will be 70 degrees.

Rain isn’t expected to arrive until Wednesday.