RALEIGH, N.C. – Dawn breaks over the Triangle with a thin veil of fog lifting off quiet fields, the air crisp and still near freezing. After several frosty starts this week, North Carolina now heads into a striking mid-November warm-up — a brief, bright spell before late-month patterns hint at a winter tease just beyond the horizon.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, temperatures will rebound sharply by Thursday, reaching near 62°F under full sunshine. Light northwest winds early will turn mild and southerly through the afternoon, keeping skies clear and the air comfortably dry. It’s a good stretch to clean up yards, finish leaf pickup, or start outdoor holiday decorating before temperatures rise further toward Saturday.
By Friday and Saturday, highs near 65°F to 70°F will make for ideal travel along I-40, I-85, and across the Research Triangle. Nights will stay chilly — mostly in the 30s and 40s — so early morning commuters should still watch for patchy frost in rural valleys.
The calm won’t last long. Long-range models suggest a shift toward cooler, wetter weather early next week as a new front pushes in from the west. That could bring scattered showers and a sharp temperature drop by Tuesday, hinting at an early winter pattern emerging before Thanksgiving week.
The rare G4 solar storm that painted the Northern Lights across much of the U.S. Tuesday night continues to fade, but minor GPS disruptions remain possible today. For now, the Triangle enjoys a reprieve — blue skies, calm winds, and the pleasant pause of late fall before the next seasonal change.
Five-Day Forecast for Raleigh, NC:
Thu: 62/38 – Mostly sunny; light winds, crisp morning start.
Fri: 65/45 – Sunny, pleasant; mild afternoon warmth.
Sat: 70/56 – Mostly sunny; ideal for travel or outdoor plans.
Sun: 75/48 – Partly sunny; hint of change late.
Mon: 67/45 – Cooler breeze; early signs of a wetter pattern.
