North Carolina – A chilly start grips the Triangle this morning, with frost clinging to rooftops and parked cars. Winter may be official, but it already feels like it’s loosening its grip. Warmer air is moving in quickly, setting up an unusually mild stretch just as Christmas travel ramps up.
Early temperatures hovered in the mid-30s around Raleigh, with calm winds and clear skies. Sunshine dominates Monday, pushing highs near 50 by afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, clouds increase tonight, but conditions stay dry and quiet across central North Carolina.
By Tuesday, a noticeable warm-up takes hold. Highs surge into the low 60s, well above late-December normals. A weak system brings a slight chance of rain by late morning or early afternoon, though most locations stay dry. Roads should remain in good shape for travelers, with no winter impacts expected.
Wednesday brings the real Christmas Eve tease. Sunshine returns, and temperatures jump into the mid to upper 60s. That’s closer to early spring than the first week of winter. While northern states wrestle with snow and ice, North Carolina stays firmly on the warm side of this pattern.
Drivers heading out for holiday trips should still watch early mornings. Clear nights allow temperatures to dip into the 40s, and brief patchy frost remains possible in sheltered spots. After that, dry roads and mild afternoons dominate through midweek.
This early winter pattern favors warmth across the Southeast, even as colder air stays locked farther north. It’s a reminder that winter here can arrive in bursts. Enjoy the mild stretch while it lasts. How warm did it feel where you stepped outside today?
Five-Day Outlook for Raleigh, NC
- Monday: Sunny and cool, high near 50.
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, slight rain chance, high near 61.
- Wednesday (Christmas Eve): Sunny and warm, high near 67.
- Christmas Day: Mostly sunny and mild, high near 68.
- Thursday: Increasing clouds, still mild, high near 52.
