Cold air arrives, marking end of spring-like pattern

After a week of spring-like temperatures, colder air arrived in the Triangle overnight, marking a shift in the weather pattern that will stay put until at least the weekend.

Temperatures were in the mid-30s across central North Carolina at 6:30 a.m., anywhere from 10 to 20 degrees colder than they were on Monday morning.

Highs on the second day of the work week will struggle to climb into the mid-50s, and sprinkles are possible during the midday hours, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

"We won't see any significant rain today, but we could see light showers or sprinkles from the late morning hours through lunchtime. We will also see some sunshine today," she said. "We'll have another band dip toward North Carolina overnight."

The second system, which will be accompanied by overnight lows in the mid-30s, could produce more light showers or snow flurries early Wednesday. Highs Wednesday will stay in the mid-40s before diving into the low 20s overnight.

"We have sort of interesting weather pattern developing," Gardner said. "We are going to have several little systems that will come through during the next week or so, and our temperatures are going to stay at or below normal for the next several days."

Sunshine will return late in the day Wednesday, and it will be out in force on Thursday, helping temperatures climb into the mid-50s. Highs Friday will once again be in the low 40s despite mostly sunny skies.

Nighttime temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees below normal during the last half of the work week.