RALEIGH, N.C. — The air sits calm over the Triangle this morning, dew glistening on lawns under a soft, golden sky. It feels like a gentle November pause — crisp but comfortable — the kind of morning that hides what’s coming next. By early next week, temperatures could plunge into the 20s, ending this stretch of warmth with the coldest air of the season so far.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, central North Carolina will hold onto mild weather through the weekend, but residents should brace for a sharp cool-down by late Sunday into Monday. Highs will climb into the mid-70s Friday and Saturday, ideal for travel, fall festivals, and early holiday decorating. Clouds increase Saturday evening, and a few light showers are possible across Wake, Durham, and Johnston counties before drier air returns Sunday.
Then, the pattern flips fast. A strong cold front slides south late Sunday, dragging Arctic air into the state by Monday morning. Lows could dip into the upper 20s to near 30°F, triggering a hard freeze warning potential for much of the Triangle and Sandhills regions. Gardeners and homeowners should cover sensitive plants, protect outdoor faucets, and bring pets indoors before the chill hits.
Veterans Day on Tuesday will dawn sunny but cold, with highs near 50°F and widespread morning frost. Models hint that another reinforcing chill may follow midweek, keeping the region firmly in a winter transition pattern as the run-up to Thanksgiving begins.
For now, enjoy this warm spell — but prepare now for Monday’s cold snap.
Five-Day Outlook for Raleigh, NC:
Thu: 65/38 – Sunny, calm breeze.
Fri: 71/57 – Partly cloudy, warmer.
Sat: 75/58 – Mostly sunny; evening showers possible.
Sun: 76/40 – Partly sunny, turning breezy and cooler.
Mon: 47/28 – Clear, hard freeze likely early.
