Cooler air arriving as front moves closer to Triangle

Light rain showers were moving through the Triangle at 6:30 a.m., helping create wet roadways for the morning commute hours.

"We're no longer seeing the heavy rain we saw from some of the thunderstorms that moved through the Triangle Wednesday evening and overnight, but some spots are still seeing some light rain," Gardner. "Give yourself a little extra time getting to work."

Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued Wednesday evening for Wake, Halifax, Chatham and Lee counties. In the Pine Hall neighborhood in Raleigh, residents reported toppled trees and downed limbs.

Nearly 2,000 people lost power in Wake County at the height of the storm. In Durham, downed power lines from the storm closed N.C. Highway 54 in both directions from Fayetteville to Barbee roads.

"We saw those storms start to die down overnight, and by early this morning most spots in the Triangle were only seeing clouds," Gardner said.

Those clouds will linger across the Triangle for much of the day Thursday, helping keep daytime highs in the low 80s. Showers are also possible, although much of central North Carolina will stay dry during the afternoon and evening. 

Overnight, drier air will set up shop, creating a more comfortable air mass and beautiful weather both Friday and Saturday, Gardner said. 

"Our highs both days will be in the upper 80s, and it is really going to be pleasant both days," she said. 

Overnight lows will dip back into the upper 60s, 5 to 10 degrees below normal for late July. Rain chances arrive again Sunday, but the below-normal temperatures will stay put through the middle of next week.