Raleigh is starting Friday socked in by thick fog and cool air around 52°F, with a Dense Fog Advisory in effect until 10 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026. The haze should peel back by mid-morning, and then the flip will be fast: temperatures will surge into the upper 70s, with showers and thunderstorms possible around midday and gusty southwest winds through the afternoon.
Fog This Morning
A Dense Fog Advisory is in place for the northern‑central Piedmont and Coastal Plain, where visibility may drop to a quarter mile or less and driving could turn dicey. The advisory runs through 10 a.m. Friday, February 20, 2026, according to NWS Raleigh. Drivers are urged to stick with low‑beam headlights, slow it down, and leave extra room to stop, and to be especially cautious near schools and school bus routes during the morning rush.
Afternoon Storms And Gusts
Showers and thunderstorms are most likely between about 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, with the high soaring to around 79°F. Southwest winds of 6 to 15 mph could gust up to 29 mph, which may tug at unsecured outdoor items and add some drag to the afternoon commute. Plan to keep an eye on radar and hit pause on outdoor chores if heavy rain or lightning rolls through.
Weekend Rain And A Brief Taste Of Snow
Rain is on tap Saturday and again Sunday, with the steadiest totals expected across the northern Coastal Plain. Around a quarter to a half inch of rain is possible Sunday. A brief mix of wet snow could reach the NC/VA border Sunday evening into the overnight hours, although confidence in any accumulation remains low. Forecasters note that a rapidly deepening coastal low could still shuffle the timing and rainfall amounts, and advise checking the NWS forecast discussion for the latest tweaks to the forecast.
What To Do
Give yourself extra time on the roads this morning and avoid driving in the thickest fog if you can. Later in the day, secure loose outdoor items and be ready for gusty winds and brief, heavy showers. Keep checking local forecasts through the day and watch for any new advisories if the setup changes.
