Raleigh, NC – A burst of gusty winds will move through central North Carolina late Thursday night into Friday morning, briefly affecting travel before a quieter and warmer stretch settles in ahead of Christmas Eve.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, winds will strengthen overnight and early Friday, with gusts reaching 30 to 40 mph and isolated gusts near 45 mph possible around daybreak. While no advisory is currently posted, the strongest winds may create issues for high-profile vehicles, especially along I-40, I-440, and open stretches of U.S. 1 during the Friday morning commute.
Rain moves in overnight with areas of fog possible, particularly before sunrise. Showers taper off Friday morning, followed by clearing skies and cooler, breezy conditions through the afternoon. A few unsecured outdoor items could be blown around, and drivers should be alert for sudden crosswinds on bridges and elevated roadways.
The weekend turns quiet and seasonable, with sunshine Saturday and a gradual warming trend Sunday into early next week. Looking ahead, Christmas Eve on Wednesday is currently shaping up mild and dry across the Triangle, a favorable setup for holiday travel, last-minute shopping, and outdoor plans.
While no hazardous weather is expected beyond Friday’s wind threat, officials note conditions can change quickly, and additional statements could be issued if winds strengthen overnight.
Five Day Outlook for Raleigh, NC
- Friday: Chance of showers early, then sunny and breezy, high 63
- Saturday: Sunny, high 53
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, high 60
- Monday: Sunny, high 47
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, high 52
- Wednesday (Christmas Eve): Mostly sunny, high near 64
