The calendar may say early October, but Monday’s cold, rainy weather felt more like late fall or even early winter. The chill had some Triangle residents turning on their heat for the first time this season. N.C. State Fair officials, meanwhile, hoped for better weather by the fair’s Thursday afternoon opening.

Is fall here to stay? Likely, WTVD meteorologist Scott Dean said. Temperatures are expected to stay on the low side through the week, but they will get warmer than Monday’s high of 52 degrees. Temperatures are expected to reach the 60s Tuesday.

What about the rain? It should begin drying up Tuesday. “The pattern will relax a little bit,” Dean said. “Sunshine returns Wednesday and continues the rest of the week.”

So, good weather for the fair? State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler certainly is banking on it. At a media preview Monday, Troxler said he’s hoping all the rain will be gone, leaving “crisp fall weather” for the fair, which runs from Thursday through Oct. 21. Troxler wants the fair to have its third straight year with more than 1 million people coming through the gate.

Turning your home’s heat on? Jason Ibrahim, owner of Jay’s Heating and Cooling in Raleigh, says homeowners should check their carbon monoxide detector batteries and make sure their heating systems are clean and don’t have anything piled on them before the systems are turned on. It’s common for heat to smell a little bit when you switch the heat on for the first time.

“You’re going to smell the dust burn off,” Ibrahim said. “But don’t let it fool you. ... You have to know the difference between burning dust and burning wires.” And if it smells like burning wires, call a technician.

Was Monday a busy day for him? Absolutely, Ibrahim said. There were many calls from customers whose heat didn’t start properly.

For the latest conditions and updated forecasts, go to our weather center.

Staff writer Kelly Poe