Raleigh, North Carolina – A cold start to the week in Raleigh will gradually give way to milder temperatures, with afternoon highs climbing into the low 50s by midweek, according to the National Weather Service.
As of early Tuesday, temperatures at Raleigh-Durham International Airport were near 30 degrees, with clear skies and light winds allowing for efficient overnight cooling. Overnight lows are expected to dip to around 28 degrees, marking one of the colder mornings of the week.
According to the National Weather Service, Tuesday will remain sunny but cool, with a forecast high near 42 degrees. Northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph, may keep conditions feeling cooler during the day. Skies remain mostly clear Tuesday night, allowing lows to fall again into the upper 20s.
A noticeable warming trend begins Wednesday as southwest winds return. High temperatures are forecast to reach 50 degrees Wednesday, followed by lows in the mid-30s Wednesday night. New Year’s Day is expected to be mostly sunny, with highs near 51 degrees, marking a return to near-seasonal temperatures for early January.
By Friday, highs are projected to reach 53 degrees, with increasing cloud cover. A 30 percent chance of rain arrives Friday night, with rain chances increasing into Saturday as a weak system moves through central North Carolina. No wintry precipitation is expected at this time.
The extended outlook shows temperatures remaining mild into the weekend, with highs generally in the low 50s and overnight lows in the low to mid-30s.
For commuters, students, and workers, the primary concern will be freezing morning temperatures early in the week, followed by improving afternoon conditions. Residents are advised to monitor forecasts for updates as rain chances increase toward the weekend.
