Raleigh rolled out of bed Friday to a wall of gray, as dense fog dropped visibility to roughly a quarter to a half-mile in low-lying spots and slowed the early commute. Temperatures hovered near 50°F at Raleigh–Durham International Airport, and the murk was stubborn in parts of the Triangle before the sun began to do its thing. Forecasters expect sunshine to return by mid-morning, with afternoon highs topping out near 72°F.
Fog This Morning
The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement early Friday, flagging the thickest fog across portions of the Triangle, the Sandhills and the eastern Piedmont. The agency urged motorists to slow down, stick with low beam headlights and leave extra following distance, as some spots reported visibilities under a half-mile. According to the National Weather Service, pilots and early-morning travelers should expect IFR to LIFR restrictions at smaller terminals before conditions gradually improve.
Afternoon And Weekend
Once the sun gets higher and daytime mixing kicks in, forecasters say the low clouds should clear by mid-morning, with light northeast winds and a high near 72°F for Friday. A weak disturbance brings a shot at spotty showers Saturday, mainly from late morning into mid-afternoon, with mostly light amounts expected. Another low-impact round of showers and thunderstorms is possible Sunday into Monday. For the latest timing and any shifts in the setup, check the National Weather Service.
Travel Tips
If you have to be on the road before sunrise, ease off the gas, use low beams and give yourself extra space behind the next car. Lake-adjacent and low-lying roads are the most likely to be fog-prone. Airline and bus passengers with early departures should confirm status with their carriers, since short delays at smaller airports are possible even as conditions improve for mid-morning flights.
