North Carolina wakes to calm air, clear skies, and pavement that stays dry across the Charlotte region.
The feel is mild, almost springlike, as Christmas travel begins to build.
Temperatures start the day in the upper 40s, then climb quickly. By afternoon, highs reach the low 70s. Sunshine dominates, and winds remain light. Jackets become optional as travelers head out early.
Christmas Day continues the trend. Mostly sunny skies pair with highs near 73 degrees. Roads remain dry, and visibility stays excellent. Holiday traffic moves smoothly with no winter weather concerns in sight.
This warm December pattern holds through Thursday night. Clouds increase slightly, but rain stays away. Overnight lows dip only into the lower 50s, far from freezing. Black ice and frost remain off the table for now.
Meteorologists note a subtle shift late Friday. Cooler air moves in, dropping highs into the upper 50s. Clouds thicken, and the air feels noticeably different. Still, no winter precipitation develops, and travel impacts remain minimal.
Friday night stays quiet. Roads remain dry, and skies stay mostly cloudy. Saturday rebounds quickly. Sunshine returns, and highs surge back into the low 70s. That warmth supports easy post-Christmas travel across the Carolinas.
To be fair, this does not resemble a typical first week of winter. Much of the Southeast shares in this warmth, while snow and ice affect northern states. Travelers returning home should remain aware of changing conditions outside the region.
For now, Charlotte drivers benefit from consistency. No storms threaten, and no advisories appear. Early mornings stay calm, with only patchy clouds and light winds.
This warm stretch aligns with a broader national trend. Record warmth continues across much of the country heading toward the new year.
5-Day Outlook for Charlotte, NC:
- Today: Sunny, high near 71
- Christmas Day: Mostly sunny, high near 73
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, high near 72
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, cooler, high near 57
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, high near 73
