The National Weather Service expects the coldest weather so far this winter to pass through the region on Friday and Saturday.

Meteorologist Brandon Vincent said today two cold fronts will pass through the area Tuesday and Thursday, bringing temperatures below normal on Wednesday and well below normal later in the week.

Vincent said lows Tuesday and Wednesday will be in the mid to upper 20s, with highs in the lower 40s, "about 5-10 degrees below normal" for Edgecombe County this time of year.

The cold front passing through Thursday evening will produce frigid temperatures for Friday and Saturday. Vincent said lows will be in the upper teens Friday and Saturday morning, down to as low as 15 Saturday. He added that it "might be a struggle to get above freezing during the day Friday," with a high of around 33 expected for Tarboro. He said highs will be in the 30s Saturday.

"It could be lower than that, honestly. (It's) still four or five days out," Vincent added.

The cold fronts this week are coming from parts of Canada that are currently minus 30-40 degrees, Vincent said.