The Triangle is waking up under a gray blanket this morning, with clouds, chill, and not a sunbeam in sight to start the first week of March. As of 5:35 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the RDU observing station was reporting overcast skies, a cool 39°F, and light winds. The cloud deck will keep a lid on temperatures today, but the real story is the major warm-up lurking just a couple of days down the road.
Today
Skies stay mostly cloudy through the day, with highs topping out near 59°F and a light southeast breeze around 1–5 mph. With low clouds hanging tough and a shallow, stable layer near the ground, areas of fog are likely to redevelop late tonight into Wednesday morning, and visibility could dip to a mile or less in spots. A few neighborhoods may pick up some light drizzle, but a widespread soaking is not on tap this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service Raleigh.
How This Compares
Today’s cooler outlook is a step back from forecasts earlier this week, which briefly had parts of the region flirting with the 70s before stubborn low clouds muscled in and took over the script. Our March 1 take on the early-week push toward warmer readings flagged that warmth before the cooler, cloudier pattern settled in. If you had afternoon lawn work, outdoor projects, or construction penciled in, plan on slower warming and some lingering dampness underfoot.
Late-Week Warmup
Starting midweek, forecasters expect a strong ridge of high pressure to crank the thermostat well above normal from Thursday through Monday. Highs should reach around 75°F on Wednesday, then climb into the upper 70s to low 80s by Friday and Saturday. Those numbers could flirt with or even approach daily records at some local climate sites. Rain chances start to tick back up Sunday into Monday as a frontal system moves in, which could complicate weekend barbecues, ballgames, and road trips. According to the National Weather Service Raleigh, the timing of that front will be the key to how much of the weekend stays dry.
Plan Ahead
If you are scheduling outdoor plans later this week, morning hours will be the most comfortable, with evenings staying unusually mild for early March. Watch for patchy fog on Wednesday morning that could slow the commute, and keep a light rain jacket handy for Sunday as shower chances increase. As always, check updated forecasts before you hit the road and give yourself a little extra time if you are driving through the early-morning fog.
