Raleigh residents should prepare for a mix of weather conditions over the next week, as detailed by the National Weather Service. According to a forecast from the NWS office in Raleigh, NC, the region can expect scattered showers, with the possibility of thunderstorms later in the day, alongside patchy fog in the morning. By Sunday, showers are likely to give way to mostly cloudy skies, followed by sunny conditions on Monday.
Temperatures today are anticipated to reach a high near 75 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity sitting at a sticky 90%. South winds will blow at 5 to 13 mph, incrementing with gusts that could hit as high as 29 mph. The NWS bulletin reminds, "Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms." Subsequent to today's weather, tonight is pegged with a higher chance of precipitation at 90%, featuring more showers and thunderstorms before 3 am. The impression of a gusty Randolph Chatham-wake flipping through is expected, as southwest winds of 8 to 10 mph become northwest after midnight.
The NWS has also released a Hazardous Weather Outlook where they have stated, "showers and isolated storms will be capable of producing an isolated damaging wind gust this afternoon." They warn residents of unseasonably warm, southwesterly winds that might gust between 30 and 40 mph today. A shift is expected by Sunday, with the onset of colder, northwesterly winds hitting similar gusts.
Looking towards the work week, conditions appear more stable, with sunny skies anticipated both Monday and Tuesday, and temperatures gradually climbing from a high near 50 to 56 degrees. There's a slight chance of rain by Thursday, with a 40% chance noted and partly sunny skies. The NWS update indicates, "New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible," indicating a drier period midweek. Conditions round out toward the end of the week with low temperatures dropping to around 24 degrees on Thursday night, before returning to sunny weather by Friday with a high near 46.
For those in central North Carolina, it's a week of watching the skies, gauging the winds, and layering accordingly. As the week progresses, residents should remain aware of any potential weather changes by monitoring local forecasts and preparing for the cooler, gustier conditions to come.
