Arctic air, gusty winds headed toward NC behind front

Temperatures were in the low 50s across much of the Triangle at lunchtime Thursday, but bitterly cold air is headed toward central and eastern North Carolina by late in the day, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

Posted 11:45 a.m. Feb 12, 2015 — Updated 5:33 p.m. Feb 12, 2015

RALEIGH, N.C. — Temperatures were in the low 50s across much of the Triangle at lunchtime Thursday, but bitterly cold air is headed toward central and eastern North Carolina by late in the day, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

A passing cold front is generating the drastic changes, and it will create a blustery afternoon and evening.

"It will feel just fine as you head out to lunch," Gardner said. "But by mid-afternoon and as we head toward the evening commute temperatures will start to fall quickly."

Gusty winds will make it feel even colder. Temperatures will dip into the upper 30s by mid-evening before settling in the low 20s early Friday.

Scattered sprinkles are possible Thursday afternoon as the front pushes through, but the bulk of the area will likely stay dry.

On Friday morning, the arctic air will set up shop for the next several days.

"By the time you get up to head to work and school, wind chills could be in the teens," she said. "Much of the area won't get to 40 degrees Friday afternoon, about 10 to 15 degrees below normal."

Temperatures will rebound slightly on Saturday, climbing to near 50 degrees, but they will bottom out again to close the weekend. Highs on Sunday will be in the upper 20s.

Overnight lows will be in the low 20s and teens for the next four or five days.

"We'll stay cool on Monday with highs in the 30s, and then a system will bring us some cold rain for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week," Gardner said.

Suggest A Correction