North Carolina – Dark clouds and scattered thunderstorms could interrupt Raleigh plans today before summer heat surges toward 98 degrees by Tuesday. The bigger story stretches beyond today’s rain, with temperatures climbing sharply as skies clear.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, showers and thunderstorms become more likely after 11 a.m. The precipitation chance reaches 50%, with a high near 86 degrees. Less than one-tenth inch of rain is expected outside thunderstorms.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport reported overcast skies and 75 degrees around 9 a.m. Humidity stood at 88%, making the morning feel muggy.
Keep an eye on the sky through the afternoon. Storms could briefly leave wet pavement around I-40, I-440 and other Triangle routes. The supplied NWS data does not identify a tornado threat for Raleigh.
Thunderstorm chances fall to 30% this evening, mainly before 7 p.m. Skies then trend mostly cloudy as temperatures drop toward 70 degrees.
Sunday marks a quick transition. Raleigh turns partly sunny and reaches 89 degrees, with no rain chance shown. Sunday night stays mostly clear near 72.
Then the heat accelerates.
Monday brings sunshine and a high near 95 degrees. Tuesday jumps another three degrees to 98, followed by another 98-degree afternoon Wednesday. That represents a 12-degree increase from today’s expected high.
Residents working outdoors should plan strenuous activity around the cooler morning hours. Carry water and never leave children or pets inside parked vehicles.
The Weather Prediction Center says the front supporting showers across the Southern Mid-Atlantic gradually weakens. That fits Raleigh’s shift from thunderstorms toward hotter, drier conditions.
No snow, ice, near-freezing temperatures or flash-freeze risk appears in the supplied data. The NWS outlook also shows Thursday near 99 degrees, making prolonged heat the next weather story to watch.
Five-Day Weather Outlook for Raleigh, North Carolina
- Today: High 86°F. 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, high 89°F. Mostly clear at night near 72°F.
- Monday: Sunny, high 95°F. Mostly clear at night near 74°F.
- Tuesday: Sunny and hot, high 98°F. Mostly clear at night near 75°F.
- Wednesday: Sunny and hot, high 98°F. Mostly clear at night near 76°F.
