The new year in Raleigh, NC, welcomes residents with a palette of mostly cloudy skies and a brisk chill in the air, as reported by the National Weather Service. The current temperature stands at 36°F, with a humidity resting at 59%, and winds traveling northwest at a modest 6 to 9 mph, details reflecting a calm introduction to 2026. As the barometer holds steady at 29.86 in (1011.4 mb), the day unfolds with the promise of partly sunny skies eventually giving way to complete sunshine and a high nearing 54 degrees, accoring to the NWS forecast.
Clearer skies are expected overnight, with temperatures dropping to around 32°F as calm winds mark the start of the new year. Clouds will increase on Friday, with highs reaching near 58 and light southwest winds around 5 mph. Rain is likely to begin late Friday night, setting up a wet weekend.
Saturday looks rainy, with a 90% chance of precipitation and a high near 46. Rainfall totals could range from a quarter to half an inch, with additional rain possible Saturday night. Conditions improve on Sunday, with mostly sunny skies and highs near 50.
Looking ahead, the new week brings mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies, highs in the upper 40s to upper 50s, and overnight lows in the low to mid-30s. Warmer weather is expected by Wednesday, with highs climbing to around 64, as reported by the NWS.
