'Rain party' will be followed by fair weather

Rain showers and perhaps a few strong storms were sweeping through central and eastern North Carolina Thursday, but they will exit just as quickly, leaving behind cooler and sunnier weather.

Around mid-day, most of the rain had moved east of the Triangle and was falling on the Coastal Plain. More than an inch of rain had fallen in Raleigh, while areas farther south, including Fayetteville, had seen less rain.

A second band of rain was forming in the Triad and was headed toward the Triangle. That band could intensify through the afternoon and bring another round of showers, perhaps accompanied by thunderstorms. The best chance for storms is east of Interstate 95.

"Once that comes through, the rain party will be more or less over," WRAL meteorologist Nate Johnson said.

The rain will taper off by late Thursday afternoon and evening. Cool, breezy weather will follow it, with an overnight around 45 degrees – about 20 degrees lower than on Wednesday night.

"After we get this rain out of here, we'll have fair weather. And by fair weather, I mean beautiful," Johnson said. "Wall-to-wall sunshine" and seasonable temperatures will move into the region.

On Friday, windy weather will keep it to a cool 71 degrees, but the sun will return.

For the weekend, a stretch of sunny and pleasantly cool weather will set in. Saturday will see a high around 69 degrees, and Sunday in the mid 70s.

By early next week, the daily highs will be flirting with the 80-degree mark, amid sunny skies.