Raleigh is waking up to calm, humid conditions Tuesday before another unusually warm October afternoon. The National Weather Service forecast calls for sunshine and a high near 86 degrees Tuesday. No rain is expected. No watches or warnings are listed for Raleigh, though the NWS has posted a Hazardous Weather Outlook.
Wednesday Could Challenge Raleigh’s Heat Record
The warmth peaks Wednesday, when sunny skies and light southwest winds will send temperatures toward 91 degrees. That would easily surpass Raleigh’s October 14 record high of 86 degrees, set in 1985, if the forecast verifies.
Thursday will remain summerlike by mid-October standards, with a sunny high near 88 and a low around 66 under partly cloudy skies.
Raleigh-Durham’s average high is 74 degrees, according to the National Weather Service’s Raleigh-Durham climate normals. Wednesday’s 91-degree forecast and Thursday’s 88-degree forecast are above that average.
Friday Front Brings Big Weekend Change
Friday starts warm, with a sunny high near 89, but a strong cold front is expected to cross the area Friday. The local forecast lists a Friday high near 89 and a partly cloudy Friday night with a low around 52, while the NWS forecast discussion calls for the front Friday and possible gusts of 25 to 35 mph.
Saturday will feel like a different season, with sunshine but a high only around 65 degrees. Saturday night lows could range from the mid-30s to mid-40s, and isolated frost cannot be ruled out. Widespread sunshine is expected Sunday, with highs in the 60s.
The forecast calls for a 26-degree drop from Wednesday’s 91-degree high to Saturday’s 65. The cold front is expected to bring a sharp turn from record-challenging warmth to a much cooler weekend.
