Warmer than normal temperatures over the past couple of weeks have also brought plenty of moisture to the region, and that has filled the Cape Fear River to near flood-stage level.

The rains have come nearly every day during the past 10 days, pushing the river’s waters into low-lying areas like the Tory Hole Park boat landing area and others.

Wednesday morning saw heaving periods of rain as dawn arrived, and rain was predicted for Thursday and Friday before the moisture was expected to push out of the area.

But behind the wet weather was a front that the National Weather Service in Wilmington has predicted will bring more seasonable temperatures in the low to mid-50s by Saturday.

“Cooler and drier weather will follow the front through the weekend,” said Meteorologist Tim Armstrong of the National Weather Service in Wilmington. “High pressure early next week will maintain seasonable coll weather, at or just a few degrees above normal for early January.”

The coolest temperatures are expected to be Saturday and Tuesday.

To follow the weather online, go to www.weather.gov and type in the zip code for the area interested in.

Cooler, drier weather expected by weekend

Staff report