Raleigh denizens, brace yourselves for an eclectic mix of weather coming up this week; it's the kind of forecast that ensures your wardrobe remains in seasonal limbo. As per the National Weather Service's Raleigh station, there's a 50% chance of rain showers between 11 am and 4 pm, possibly escalating to thunderstorms post-4 pm today, so keep an umbrella handy. Temperatures will see a high near 67°F with southwest winds at 8 to 14 mph, and those gusts could reach up to 26 mph. If you're not shackled to your desk, maybe take a long lunch; the precipitation could add between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of new rainfall -- but higher amounts are possible if thunderstorms hit.
For those planning their nocturnal endeavors, tonight's forecast predicts partly cloudy skies with the mercury dropping to around 46°F. Although the wind is slowing down to a light 3 to 5 mph, a chilling northwest breeze may catch you off guard if you're out late. Looking into tomorrow, skies are clearing up for a mostly sunny day with highs soaring to a pleasant 72°F, complemented by a calm wind that'll pick up a little pep, coming from the southwest at 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.
However, it's not all clear skies and sunny highs. Tomorrow night might just dampen spirits with a 30% chance of showers before 2 am, followed by a gradual clearing up of the sky, reaching a colder low around 45°F. Recent updates from NWS Raleigh indicate new precipitation could be less than a tenth of an inch, so while it's not exactly a deluge, it's still a good idea to prep for a slight drizzle if you're going to be outdoors. Gusty winds coupling with low relative humidity by tomorrow may result in a heightened risk for adverse fire behavior, as noted by a Hazardous Weather Outlook released early Monday. There's no call for spotters at this time, but the advisory hints at a cautionary air hanging over the region.
Heading into the latter half of the week, Wednesday offers a pocket of respite with sunny conditions and a high near 67°F. Those trusting the skies to remain clear into the night will be pleased with mostly clear conditions and lows at a crisp 39°F. Continuity seems to be a theme as the week progresses, with Thursday remaining sunny with a high near 64°F and a tranquil night to follow under mostly clear heavens, edging down to around 43°F.
As the weekend approaches, the temperatures make a steady climb. Friday will be mostly sunny, hitting a high near 73°F. The warmth doesn't end there, with Saturday projecting a partly sunny atmosphere with temperatures wrestling to reach a high near 79°F. Saturday night will be mostly cloudy, though, with a low around 59°F. Wrapping up the forecast, Sunday suggests a sweet spot with partly sunny skies and a high near 81°F, poised to offer a peek into the balmy embrace of the impending summer season.
