North Carolina eases into Sunday with thickening clouds and a softer feel in the air, but winter is not finished. Damp pavement, muted skies, and shifting temperatures signal a changing pattern just as end-of-year travel ramps up across the region.
According to the National Weather Service, Sunday brings increasing clouds across central North Carolina, with highs reaching the low-to-mid 50s around Raleigh. Rain chances rise late in the day and into Sunday night, though amounts stay light. Winds remain gentle, keeping conditions manageable but steadily gray.
For travelers, Sunday offers decent daytime conditions before roads turn damp later. Major routes like I-40 and I-440 should remain passable, though reduced visibility may develop after sunset. Plan extra time for evening drives, especially if returning home or heading out for holiday trips.
Sunday night temperatures dip toward 50 degrees as spotty rain lingers. While no ice is expected, the setup matters. Cooler air quickly follows early next week. Any lingering moisture could create chilly, raw mornings by Tuesday and Wednesday, a common late-December transition.
Monday briefly feels almost springlike, with highs near 70 degrees and scattered rain. That warmth fades fast. By Tuesday, sunshine returns but highs fall back into the low 40s. Overnight lows drop near freezing, opening the door for patchy frost in outlying areas.
Looking ahead, New Year’s Eve on Wednesday appears dry and cool, with highs near 50 and colder air settling in after sunset. It may feel crisp for outdoor celebrations as 2026 approaches. Meteorologists continue monitoring broader winter patterns. Traveling Sunday or early next week? Share what conditions you’re seeing across the Triangle.
Five-Day Weather Outlook: Raleigh, NC
- Sunday: Increasing clouds, late rain chance; high near 53
- Monday: Showers possible, warm; high near 70
- Tuesday: Sunny, cooler; high near 43
- Wednesday (New Year’s Eve): Mostly sunny, cool; high near 50
- New Year’s Day: Mostly sunny, colder; high near 52
