New Year brings sunny skies, less wind

The first day of 2009 will be sunny, cold and less windy than the last day of 2008.

The National Weather Service says there is a chance of light freezing rain, sleet or snow Thursday night and Friday morning in western North Carolina.

Forecasters say accumulations should be light and temperatures should rise above freezing later Friday.

In the Triangle, Thursday’s highs will reach the lower 40s, followed by increasing clouds and lows in the upper 20s overnight.

Friday will bring more clouds and a chance of a few sprinkles. Temperatures will be a little warmer with highs in the upper 40s.

More clouds will descend upon the area Friday night, bringing lows in the upper 30s.

Saturday will be sunny with near normal temperatures, and Sunday will be mostly cloudy with scattered showers.

Read WRAL's WeatherCenter blog to find out more about the wonderful world of weather.