North Carolina – A sharp, brisk wind sweeps across the Triangle this Sunday morning, pushing low clouds over wet pavement and signaling colder air sliding in from the north. Residents stepping outside feel the first bite of a developing December cold snap that intensifies later today as holiday travel ramps up.
According to the National Weather Service, a Cold Weather Advisory begins at 6 p.m. and lasts through 9 a.m. Monday, covering all of central North Carolina. Wind chills could fall to 4° above zero, creating dangerous exposure risks for anyone outdoors without proper layers. Meteorologists urge families to prepare now—check coats, gloves, hats, and ensure pets have warm, dry shelter before temperatures drop.
Gusty northwest winds increase through the evening, with sustained speeds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 35 mph. Those winds may scatter unsecured decorations and make road travel feel unstable on elevated highways, including I-40 and I-440. Wet surfaces from early-day showers may stiffen into patchy slick spots as temperatures fall into the teens, a setup known for quick “flash-freeze” conditions.
For Monday, the cold persists with highs near 38°, though winds gradually relax. To be fair, this chill eases faster than last week’s front, but the early-season pattern shows a trend: winter is gaining momentum across the Southeast.
By Tuesday, sunshine returns with highs near the upper 40s. Still, the morning starts cold enough to require heavy coats, especially for children heading to school as December break approaches.
Five-Day Outlook
Monday: Sunny, high 38; wind chills near 10 early.
Tuesday: Sunny, high 48.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high 56.
Thursday: Rain likely, high 50.
Friday: Mostly sunny, high 42.
