Raleigh residents can expect changing weather conditions today, according to the National Weather Service, with rain likely early followed by gradual clearing and cooler temperatures. The forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of rain mainly before 1 p.m., along with strong wind gusts that may reach up to 37 mph. Temperatures are expected to rise to around 65 degrees in the afternoon before falling to near 49 degrees later in the day.
As the system moves out, Raleigh is expected to experience clearer skies tonight with a low near 28 degrees and winds decreasing to 6 to 11 mph. The NWS in Raleigh has issued a Red Flag Warning from noon to 7 p.m. EST today, indicating elevated wildfire risk due to low humidity and strong winds.
A Red Flag Warning is currently in effect for the Piedmont and Sandhills regions of Central North Carolina. The warning notes west winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph and relative humidity as low as 25 percent, creating conditions for rapid fire spread. The National Weather Service advises against outdoor burning, as any fire that develops could spread quickly. Affected counties include Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, Scotland, and Hoke, among others across central North Carolina.
Looking ahead, the NWS forecasts a sunny Tuesday with highs near 42 degrees and northwest winds of 7 to 13 mph, maintaining some fire risk. While winds are likely to be weaker than on Monday, low humidity and daytime gusts of 20 to 25 mph could still create hazardous conditions for central North Carolina. No spotter activation is expected at this time.
The remainder of the week in Raleigh is likely to bring calmer weather, with sunny skies and moderate temperatures. Tuesday night will be clear with lows around 28 degrees, followed by a sunny Wednesday with highs near 51 degrees. New Year’s Day is forecast to be mostly sunny with highs around 53 degrees, continuing into the weekend under clear conditions, with a chance of rain expected Friday night.
