Get your coats and sweaters ready!  Some of the coldest weather so far this fall will arrive over the weekend.  Many locations in central North Carolina will see the first freeze of the season late Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Before we officially make it to the weekend, spotty light showers are expected off and on Friday.  Much of the region should see a quarter of an inch of rain or less.  The clouds and light rain will keep temperatures in the low to mid 50s all day around the Triangle.  Some locations south and southeast of Raleigh will see highs around 60 or the low 60s.

The clouds will finally clear out by early Saturday morning bringing sunny conditions through the weekend.  Despite all day sunshine, highs on Saturday and Sunday will only top out in the low to mid 50s.

The coldest air of the weekend is expected late Saturday night into Sunday morning.  Temperatures will drop to the upper 20s and low 30s bringing an end to the growing season in the region.  

This year's first freeze is coming later than normal.  The average date for the first freeze of fall in the Triangle and Sandhills is in late October.  Last fall's first freeze also did not happen until November 11.

First freeze graphic