North Carolina – Dry leaves scrape across sidewalks and smoke drifts easily this morning as cold air and low humidity grip central North Carolina. Sunshine hides the danger. Conditions favor rapid fire spread today, even as winter weather lines up for the days ahead.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, increased fire danger remains in effect from noon through this evening. Relative humidity drops near 20 percent while southwest winds gust between 20 and 25 mph. Dry fuels across Alamance County and the Piedmont add to the risk. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.
Temperatures climb into the mid-40s around Burlington today, but wind chills stay sharp early. Tonight turns colder, with lows near 32 under partly cloudy skies. Saturday starts quiet, though clouds increase. A chance of rain develops later in the day as warmer air briefly pushes in, sending highs toward the mid-50s.
Conditions change again Saturday night into Sunday. Rain mixes with snow early, then snow showers become more likely by Sunday afternoon. Accumulation looks minor, mainly on grassy or elevated surfaces, but timing matters. Wet roads may refreeze after sunset as colder air settles in.
Sunday night clears and turns cold, with lows near 19. By MLK Day on Monday, sunshine returns and highs rebound into the mid-40s. It feels calmer, but the freeze-and-thaw cycle raises black ice concerns on untreated roads, bridges, and rural routes early and late.
Drivers should stay alert today for fire restrictions and gusty winds. Plan ahead for changing road conditions this weekend. Avoid outdoor burning, secure loose items, and watch shaded pavement after dark.
More rain chances arrive midweek as temperatures moderate. How dry does it feel where you are this morning?
Five-Day Outlook for Burlington, NC
- Today: Sunny, breezy, elevated fire danger, high near 44
- Saturday: Increasing clouds, chance of rain late, high near 54
- Sunday: Rain mixing with snow, then snow showers, high near 36
- MLK Day Monday: Sunny and cooler, high near 45
- Tuesday: Sunny, colder, high near 36
