Raleigh, North Carolina is bracing for a sharp blast of winter cold tonight through Monday morning as Arctic air settles into central North Carolina. According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, temperatures and wind will combine to create dangerously cold wind chills, especially late tonight and early Monday.
Overnight lows are expected to fall into the low to mid-teens across the Triangle, with some outlying areas dipping even colder. At the same time, northwest wind gusts could reach 25 to 30 mph Sunday evening, dramatically lowering how cold it feels outdoors. As a result, wind chill values are forecast to drop into the single digits, with a few locations potentially nearing 5 degrees or colder by daybreak Monday.
These conditions pose elevated cold-exposure risks for anyone spending extended time outside without adequate protection. Frostbite and hypothermia can develop more quickly under these conditions, especially when wind is present. Residents are urged to dress in multiple layers, cover exposed skin, and limit time outdoors when possible.
Monday will remain cold despite sunshine. High temperatures are only expected to reach the mid to upper 30s, which is well below normal for mid-December. Winds will gradually ease through the day, but lingering breezes will keep conditions feeling colder than the thermometer suggests during the morning hours.
Pet owners should ensure animals have warm shelter or are brought indoors, and residents are encouraged to check on elderly neighbors and other vulnerable individuals. While this cold snap is short-lived, it will be one of the coldest mornings so far this season for the Raleigh area.
Temperatures are expected to slowly moderate later in the week, but until then, caution is advised. Even typical daily activities can become hazardous when bitter cold and wind chills combine.
