Raleigh, North Carolina – January 2026 brought colder-than-normal temperatures and multiple rounds of winter weather across central North Carolina, impacting travel near Interstate 40.
According to a Sunday climate summary released by the National Weather Service in Raleigh, January featured frequent temperature swings and several winter precipitation events affecting cities including Raleigh, Greensboro, and Fayetteville, along major corridors such as I-40, I-85, I-95, and U.S. Route 1.
In Raleigh, the average temperature for the month was 39.9 degrees, approximately 2.0 degrees below normal. The average high temperature measured 50.4 degrees, while the average low was 29.4 degrees. Raleigh recorded 1.34 inches of precipitation, about 2.09 inches below normal, and 3.4 inches of snow, nearly 0.8 inches above normal. The warmest temperature reached 76 degrees on Jan. 10, while the coldest fell to 15 degrees on Jan. 27.
Greensboro recorded an average January temperature of 37.8 degrees, about 1.9 degrees below normal. Snowfall totaled 12.1 inches, significantly above average, while precipitation remained slightly below normal. The city’s coldest temperature dropped to 8 degrees on Jan. 27.
In Fayetteville, the average temperature was 41.9 degrees, approximately 2.1 degrees below normal. Precipitation totaled 1.65 inches, and the coldest temperature recorded was 16 degrees on Jan. 16. The warmest reading reached 80 degrees on Jan. 10.
The Weather Service noted that January was an active month, with repeated rounds of winter precipitation contributing to occasional travel impacts along major highways.
For commuters, students, and shift workers across central North Carolina, the fluctuating conditions required increased attention during winter travel periods.
Additional climate details are available through the National Weather Service Raleigh office.
