RALEIGH, NC – Winter’s edge is creeping south again, and central North Carolina is in for its first December taste of winter weather as a cold rain mixes with sleet and wet snow early Friday morning. Roads could turn slick for the morning drive, especially on bridges and overpasses before temperatures rebound later in the day.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, a low-pressure system tracking east will pull cold air into the region just as moisture arrives before sunrise Friday. Forecasters say a light coating of sleet or snow is possible on elevated surfaces before everything changes to cold rain through the afternoon. Even minor accumulations could cause slippery travel around Raleigh, Durham, and Cary, particularly along I-40 and US-1.
The transition will happen fast — temperatures are expected to hover in the low to mid-30s through mid-morning, then climb toward 38°F by midday. Drivers should use caution on shaded roads and ramps, where melting and refreezing could create patchy black ice.
The Hazardous Weather Outlook remains active through Friday as this early-season system moves across the Carolinas. Spotters are encouraged to report any sleet or snow observations as meteorologists monitor the evolving winter setup.
Looking ahead, temperatures will rise slightly into the weekend before another round of cold rain arrives Sunday, signaling the region’s gradual shift toward a more persistent winter pattern. NOAA’s extended maps for December 11–17 show cooler-than-normal conditions likely to continue across the Southeast, meaning this won’t be winter’s last visit.
Five-Day Outlook (Raleigh, NC)
- Friday: Rain/snow mix early, then rain. High 38°F.
- Saturday: Cloudy, slight rain chance. High 47°F.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny early, chance rain late. High 51°F.
- Monday: Partly sunny, high 42°F.
- Tuesday: Sunny, high 44°F.
