RALEIGH, N.C. – A sharp November chill is closing in on central North Carolina, bringing the region its first true taste of winter. By late Monday evening, the air will turn biting and still, with lawns shimmering in frost and wind gusts rattling from Durham to Goldsboro.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, a Freeze Watch remains in effect from Monday evening through Tuesday morning for nearly all of central North Carolina, including Wake, Durham, Orange, Chatham, and Johnston counties. Forecasters expect lows between 22 and 30 degrees, with wind chills dipping even lower. Arctic air will spill southward behind a cold front, and strong northwest winds could gust up to 28 mph.
The agency warns that the cold may kill late-season crops and damage unprotected pipes or outdoor plumbing. Gardeners should cover tender plants, and residents are urged to bring pets indoors and ensure livestock have shelter. Drivers along I-40 and U.S. 1 should also prepare for patchy frost Tuesday morning, especially on rural bridges and shaded back roads.
This early freeze marks a seasonal turning point. While conditions stay sunny for Veterans Day, the crisp air will linger into late week. Highs will rebound slightly into the 60s by Thursday, offering dry, clear weather for early holiday travelers and leaf cleanup before another chill builds next weekend.
Five-Day Forecast for Raleigh, NC:
Mon: 53/29 – Sunny, breezy; Arctic air moving in by night.
Tue: 48/31 – Sunny and cold; freeze early, light frost mid-morning.
Wed: 61/43 – Mostly clear; seasonal rebound.
Thu: 63/39 – Mild sunshine; good outdoor cleanup day.
Fri: 62/40 – Bright and cool; another cold push likely next weekend.
