Raleigh residents can expect a mostly cloudy sky today with a high hovering near 52 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. A northeast wind at around 7 to 10 mph will keep things brisk, though the wind chill should to not drop much below the actual temperature.
As the evening approaches, there's a small window where rain or drizzle could sneak into the picture after 4am, with the NWS Raleigh projecting a 20% chance of precipitation. Overnight temperatures are expected to dip to around 36 degrees, with the northeast wind calming down, which may make the potential rain or drizzle more likely to actually be seen by those awake in the early hours.
Heading into Friday, there's a slight chance that any lingering drizzle from the night might stick around until 7am, but it's the afternoon that carries a higher chance of showers with a 40% probability. "A slight chance of rain or drizzle before 7am, then a chance of showers, mainly after 1pm," the NWS forecast notes. Daytime highs are to remain consistent with today's, eyeing the 51-degree mark.
The odds of rain drop again on Friday night, with only a 20% chance of showers before 10pm. The sky will then begin to clear, setting the stage for a low around 32 degrees. According to the NWS forecast, the weekend is looking sunnier with daytime highs to range from the mid-40s on Saturday to just under 40 on Sunday, with a slight uptick as we make our way toward Christmas Day. Nighttime lows will take a sharper dive, so better bundle up if you're stepping outside, with temps slated to fall to 22 on Saturday night and even a colder 19 on Sunday night.
The early outlook for the holiday week carries a glimmer of warmth, with mostly sunny skies pushing temperatures gradually higher, nearing a more comfortable 53 degrees by Christmas Day, though overnight lows will remain at or below freezing. So, while the next couple of days might carry the need for an umbrella and a warm coat, at least you can anticipate a brighter, and slightly warmer, holiday ahead.
