RALEIGH, NC – Crisp air and silvered lawns mark a frosty dawn across the Triangle, as the coldest air of the season brushes through central North Carolina. The quiet, clear start belies a fast-changing pattern that will swing from frost to thunderstorms within 48 hours. Residents across the Piedmont and Sandhills should prepare for slick grass, tender plant damage early, and rain-soaked travel later this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, a Frost Advisory remains in effect until 8 a.m. Friday for the northern Piedmont, northern Sandhills, and central Coastal Plain. Temperatures dipped to near freezing in rural valleys from Roxboro to Sanford, signaling the end of the growing season for much of the region. Gardeners are urged to cover sensitive vegetation and bring in container plants before daybreak.
By Saturday, winds shift west and temperatures rebound sharply into the 70s. Clouds will build through the day ahead of a developing low-pressure system tracking from the Gulf. Scattered thunderstorms are possible late Saturday into Sunday, some producing brief downpours and gusty winds, especially along the I-40 and U.S. 1 corridors. Outdoor events and early Veterans Day parades could see interruptions from passing storms.
Early next week, colder air returns behind the front. Monday looks brisk and bright, with lows dipping again near freezing by Tuesday morning. Longer-term outlooks hint at a deeper Arctic chill arriving mid-month — a potential pre-Thanksgiving winter teaser as northern states brace for early snow. For now, it’s a weekend of fast transitions: frost first, thunder next, and crisp air waiting on the other side.
Five-Day Forecast for Raleigh, NC:
Fri: 70/56 – Mostly sunny, mild rebound after early frost.
Sat: 75/57 – Partly cloudy; chance of late-day storms.
Sun: 76/44 – Showers, isolated thunder; turning cooler by evening.
Mon: 52/31 – Mostly sunny, brisk winds; early winter chill returns.
Tue: 49/30 – Clear, cold start; calm and bright through the day.
