— Temperatures on Tuesday could hit 50 degrees in Raleigh, but by Wednesday morning the northern half of North Carolina will be waking up to winter weather, according to WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel.

"Our best chance of steady snow will be early Wednesday, through the morning," he said.

Models differed on how much snow could accumulate, with the European model predicting more for the Triangle, up to 2 inches in Raleigh.

Fishel said there is about an 80 percent chance of 1 inch of snow falling in the Triangle, but that doesn't mean it will all stick around.

"I think it is likely we're going to see snow falling Wednesday, the question is how much of it will stick," he said. "One inch can fall, but it doesn't mean one inch will actually accumulate."

Fishel said the warm, sunny weather on Tuesday will significantly warm road surfaces and clouds that move in during the evening will prevent temperatures from dropping below freezing for a large portion of the night.

Crews with the North Carolina Department of Transportation started brining major Wake County roads on Monday in anticipation of snow later in the week.

According to the DOT, 12 brining trucks got started by 9 a.m. and worked through about 3 p.m. The initial attention will be on interstates, divided highways and other major roadways, in addition to bridges and overpasses. The NCDOT said crews will continue the process on Tuesday if it is deemed necessary.

Fishel said that even though snow should begin falling during the Wednesday morning rush hour, it may not create a mess for people trying to get to work or school.

"The most dangerous time for the roads may actually be after this system is long gone, Wednesday night and Thursday, when skies clear and temperatures drop into the teens," he said.

The cold temperatures stick around through Thursday, so any accumulated ice or snow could make Thursday morning travel treacherous.

The sun returns Thursday and temperatures warm into the 50s Friday and could reach 60 degrees by Sunday.