Whether Christmas shopping or high school sports, expect a soggy weekend if you venture out

Friday will feel milder, with a high of 48 degrees in Raleigh, before temperatures enter the low 60s, becoming almost warm for Saturday.

The catch? Much of Friday and Saturday will be rainy, according to WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze. A low-pressure system bringing thunderstorms and rain to Texas will arrive in the Triangle by midday Friday, and rain could become heavy by lunchtime and in the evening.

A flash flood watch takes effect Friday afternoon and lasts through Saturday afternoon, meaning conditions are right for flooding at any time.

"We have heavy rain moving into the area [Friday] afternoon and into the evening," Maze said.

Fans of high school football headed to state championship games at UNC and Duke's stadiums would do well to bring the rain gear.

Both games are scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. There is a 90 percent chance of precipitation throughout the evening hours, and some rain showers could be heavy.

"Be prepared for a mess," WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said.

On Saturday, games are scheduled to be played beginning at 11 a.m. at three locations – UNC's Kenan Stadium, Duke's Wallace-Wade Stadium and Carter-Finley Stadium on the N.C. State campus.

The shower chances abate slightly – to a mere 65 percent throughout the daylight hours on Saturday – before the rain really ends early Sunday.

Even though Saturday will feel spring-like, it will be overcast, and the area could see 2 to 3 inches of rain by Sunday. Still, Sunday's high will be a pleasant 56 degrees.

Christmas shoppers up against a deadline will also face a soggy mess.

"Since the ground is saturated, we have a good likelihood that flooding will result. After this heavy rain, we will watch the river levels for potential flooding as well," Maze said.

See which NC rivers are expected to flood

The skies truly clear by Sunday night, leaving more temperate days and chilly nights into the work week. Forecast highs are in the 50s to near 60 degrees, and overnight lows bob around the freezing mark.