Muggy, wet weather sticks to NC

"The trend for the rest of the week is definitely in a drier direction," said WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel. 

Patches of showers and storms brought rain and cloud-to-ground lightning from Cumberland County to Wake County Tuesday evening, but were expected to head south and east of Raleigh overnight.

"We think tomorrow the best chance for showers will be in the southern and eastern counties," Fishel said.

In the gaps between the scattered showers and storms, Tuesday saw cloudy skies, high humidity and a high around 83 degrees. An upper level trough to the west helped activate the afternoon period of moisture, said WRAL meteorologist Mike Moss. 

On Wednesday, the cold front will make its way across the state. In front of it, showers could fall, particularly south and east of the Triangle.

"The best chances for showers are across the southern and eastern coastal plain. A lot of us may tend to miss out on those around central parts of the state," Moss said.

From Tuesday through Wednesday, approximately a half-inch to an inch of rain is expected to fall. Eastern North Carolina will receive the higher totals.

While a little rain could linger into Thursday, it's expected to dry out that day. 

Noticeably more comfortable weather will settle in after the cold front passes through. Humidity will clear out, and temperatures will drop from a high around 89 degrees Wednesday to 81 degrees on Thursday.

"It will feel a little nicer and less muggy by the time the week is over," Moss said.

Partly cloudy skies and daily highs around 80 degrees will make the weekend pleasant. "It's looking pretty good so far," Moss said.