It's cold, but ice not in forecast

A strong cold front was expected to cross central North Carolina overnight, bringing unusually cold air and possibly some snow flurries today.

But don't bother with snow tires or chains, says Jonathan Blaes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Raleigh. Roads will not get cold enough to ice over.

"Even if we do see snow, the ground is mild," Blaes said, adding that the high temperature Monday was in the upper 50s. "I will be surprised if the roads get wet."

The front will bring cold, blustery conditions today with highs expected in the upper 30s to lower 40s with northeastern winds gusting to 35 mph. The wind will make the temperature feel like the upper 20s by this afternoon, according to the weather service.

By Wednesday morning, temperatures will dip into the mid-20s but could feel like the upper teens with the wind chill.

The weather will remain colder than normal the rest of the week, according to the weather service. Temperatures usually top out in the lower 60s this time of year, with overnight lows in the upper 30s.