Raleigh is waking up warm and dry, with Raleigh-Durham International Airport near 63°F early today under clear skies. The National Weather Service is calling for a high near 92°F this afternoon, and the hot, rain-starved pattern looks locked in through Saturday. Low humidity and a steady southwest breeze will keep fire danger running higher than usual.
Afternoon Heat And Gusty Southwest Winds
Highs are expected to top out near 92°F today and hold in the low 90s through Friday, with Saturday likely edging up to around 93°F in the typically hotter pockets of the city. Southwest winds should stay on the lighter side today at about 3 to 8 mph, then kick up on Thursday, when gusts could reach roughly 21 mph in parts of the Triangle, according to the National Weather Service in Raleigh.
Fire Danger And Burn Ban
Special Weather Statements and local forecasters continue to flag fire concerns. Very dry grasses and leaf litter combined with the warm, occasionally breezy setup mean a higher risk of wildfires through the week. The N.C. Forest Service’s statewide open-burning ban, issued March 28, is still in effect and has canceled most burn permits. During a state ban, open vegetative burning is illegal and violators can be hit with fines along with suppression-cost liability, according to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Weekend Shift And Rain Chances
A cold front is expected to slip through on Sunday, bringing only a slight chance of showers and a few thunderstorms but likely enough to shut down this early taste of summer for a bit. Behind the front, temperatures will tumble, with highs dropping into the upper 60s by Monday and overnight lows dipping into the 40s, so expect a noticeable cooldown to start next week. Forecast guidance from the National Weather Service in Raleigh indicates that the best chance for measurable rain stays limited and any totals are likely to be on the light side.
What This Means For Your Plans
If you are tackling outdoor work or yard projects, try to move the heavy lifting to the cooler morning or evening hours, keep water and shade close, and secure loose items that could blow around in stronger gusts. Skip burning yard waste while the statewide ban is active, and if you spot smoke or an unattended fire, call 911 right away.
We covered the start of this warm spell yesterday; see our look at the early heat wave and fire fears for more background and safety tips. We will post updates here if conditions or advisories change.
