North Carolina – Crisp air and strong northwest winds will dominate Raleigh’s skies as temperatures tumble heading into the final days of November. The region is bracing for its coldest weekend of the season, with widespread lows dropping into the mid-20s by Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, gusty winds could reach 35 to 40 mph through late Friday as a powerful cold front sweeps across the state. The system will usher in a sharp temperature drop—daytime highs struggling to reach the mid-40s by Saturday. Residents should prepare for widespread frost and a hard freeze Friday night into Saturday morning.
The cold air won’t stay dry for long. Forecasters expect clouds to increase by Sunday afternoon, with a 60% chance of rain by Sunday night as the next disturbance pushes moisture into the Carolinas. Early next week may bring another cold rain or mixed-precipitation setup, with temperatures flirting with freezing across the northern Piedmont.
Drivers returning home from post-Thanksgiving travel should watch for frost and slick bridges early Saturday and allow extra time for morning departures. Pets and plants should also be protected from the season’s first deep chill.
5-Day Outlook (Raleigh, NC)
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, breezy, high 46°F.
- Sunday: Increasing clouds, chance of rain 30%, high 57°F.
- Sunday Night: Rain likely, low 39°F.
- Monday: Partly cloudy, high 47°F.
- Tuesday: Chance of rain, high near 50°F.
