Sunny skies gradually return for holiday weekend

A slight chance of rain showers and thunderstorms will linger through Saturday evening. The clouds will help keep the temperatures seasonable, in the low 80s.

"Today we still have a chance of widely scattered, hit-and-miss showers and thunderstorms popping up. Could be any time but especially mid-day into the afternoon," WRAL meteorologist Mike Moss said.

Eastern North Carolina will have the best shot at rain, though some showers could also drift over the coast and areas west of the Triangle.

The rest of the holiday weekend looks just right for any outdoor activities, WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said.

Sunshine will dry out the remaining chances for rain Sunday, and temperatures will leap back into the upper 80s and perhaps even 90 degrees in a few spots.

The mercury will rise into the low 90s again Memorial Day. Rising humidity will come along hand in hand on the sunny day.

"We're going to bake all day," Moss said.

People along the northeastern North Carolina coast will also be dealing with smoky air this weekend.

A wildfire in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge has created high levels of particle pollution, prompting an advisory cautioning sensitive groups of people to avoid or reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

The advisory covers Dare County, Plymouth, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Manteo and the northern Outer Banks.