Arctic air to invade Triangle Tuesday; trace of snow possible

"This is one of those days, Tuesday, where you're going to want to take into account that things are going to look and feel very different when you get home from work or school than they will be when you leave tomorrow morning," WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said Monday evening.

Tuesday's highs will peak at the mid-50s to low 60s by noon before dropping to the low to mid-30s early Tuesday evening.

Wednesday's lows were expected to be in the upper 20s, and despite a full day of sunshine on Wednesday, the high will reach the low to mid-40s.

"In fact, temperatures will be as cold all day Wednesday as they are at 8 p.m. Monday," Fishel said.

Secondary to Tuesday's dip in temperature is a chance of snow late in the afternoon.

"It's always exciting when you see the first flakes floating through the air, as we head into the winter season, and so I don't want to discount that," Fishel said. "I just don't want you to think it will be anything that is going to affect your evening plans for tomorrow."

An area of precipitation is expected to develop east of the Appalachian Mountains Tuesday afternoon, and snow will depend on how quickly the arctic air arrives and if that rain is still over the state.

"Even if it does change over to snow flurry activity, temperatures are likely to be above freezing during the entire duration of the event, so there's no danger of any big accumulations or any accumulations at all," Fishel said.

Temperatures will dip to a low in the low-20s Thursday morning but are expected to rebound. Highs will be in the mid-50s.

By the weekend, the highs will reach the low 60s and edge toward 70 by Monday.

"It's going to be an interesting week," Fishel said. "But bundle up tomorrow afternoon."