Unsettled weather arrives after hot Thursday

The last time temperatures cracked the 90-degree mark was Sept. 6, 2012, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. 

"We won't be near our record for May 16, which is 94 degrees, but it's going to be hot today," she said. "Humid air will make it feel like summer."

Temperatures were just south of 70 degrees at 6:30 a.m. and should climb into the 80s before lunchtime under mostly sunny skies. By 4 p.m., several areas will likely see temperatures near 90 degrees. 

The warm temperatures will help destabilize the atmosphere to the north of the Triangle, and areas along the Virginia border have a chance to see a scattered afternoon shower or storm. 

"We're not looking at any significant chances for rain in the immediate Triangle Thursday, but that will change as we close out the work week and head into the weekend."

A cold front will sag southward toward the state Friday, helping create a better chance for storms while also cooling temperatures a bit. Friday's high should top out in the upper 80s. 

Temperatures will continue to drop over the weekend as rain chances increase. By Monday, some places could see 1 to 2 inches of rain. 

"We don't expect any sort of severe weather with this summer-like pattern, but some of the storms could produce some locally heavy rain," Gardner said.

Temperatures will head back into the 80s early next week.