Temperatures in the metro-east were well below the freezing mark Thursday morning with the mercury reading 27 degrees at sunrise.

The temperature is expected to rise to about 51 degrees under partly sunny skies, according to the National Weather Service. No rain is expected Thursday. It is also predicted that the weather will be dry through the weekend.

Temperatures should be slightly higher at the end of the week with a projected high of 56 degrees Friday, 57 degrees Saturday and 55 Sunday,