Cold weekend coming, but flakes will be few

If you long for snow with your chill, you will likely be disappointed.

The temperature at dawn, when the chance of precipitation peaks, will be just above freezing.

"That may still be cold enough for a little sleet or flurries as the precipitation begins," Gardner said. "The best chance of that will from Raleigh north. The amounts will be very light and won't cause travel problems. Otherwise expect patchy light rain until just after lunchtime."

It will stay chilly through Saturday, then temperatures will begin the slow climb back to the 70-degree mark, with a high in the 50s on Sunday and the mid-60s on Monday. Skies stay mostly clear through the weekend. The chance for rain returns on Wednesday.

The hint of snow comes on the heels of Groundhog Day, when Sir Walter Wally, Raleigh's resident groundhog, predicted an early end to winter. Wally failed to see a shadow outside the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on Thursday afternoon, meaning an early spring for the region, Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane said.

Should you rely on a rodent? Wally has a pretty good record. He has predicted the end of winter correctly 82 percent of the time.