We still do not need our rain gear Thursday but that will change by Friday afternoon as wet weather returns to central North Carolina for the end of the work week and the start of the weekend.

A mix of clouds and sun are forecast for Thursday along with cool temperatures.  Highs should range from near 50 in the Triangle to the low and mid 50s in the Sandhills.

Mostly clear skies Thursday night will allow lows to drop to the low and mid 30s by sunrise Friday morning.

Friday will start with dry conditions, but low pressure developing along the Gulf coast will eventually bring rain to the area by late afternoon and evening.

Widespread rain is likely through Friday night, but most of that rain should be coming to an end around sunrise Saturday as the low pressure moves away from the North Carolina coast.

We may end up with mostly cloudy but dry weather for much of the day Saturday.  However, a few light showers could pass through the area late Saturday afternoon and evening.

Rainfall totals should range between 0.5" and 1.5" across central and eastern North Carolina from Friday afternoon through Saturday.  This will be the 11th consecutive weekend with rain in the area.  The last rain-free weekend was two weekends before Thanksgiving.

All day sunshine is forecast to return for Sunday.  Warmer temperatures are then forecast for the first half of next week when highs should reach the mid and upper 60s.

Another period of wet weather appears likely around the middle and second half of next week.

Follow Meteorologist Lee Ringer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.