Raleigh is starting Thursday near 52 degrees under mostly clear skies, but the day will quickly turn into one last warm November tease. Temperatures should climb to around 71 degrees before a cold front brings gusty winds this afternoon and much colder air for the weekend.
Warm Thursday Ends With Gusty Winds
Thursday will be mostly sunny, with a low chance of light showers. Northwesterly gusts of 25 to 30 mph are likely Thursday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service in Raleigh.
Any showers should be light and isolated, with the better chance north of Raleigh. Thursday night will turn mostly clear, but winds will remain breezy and temperatures will fall to around 44 degrees.
Friday Starts The Cold-Weather Turn
Friday will be sunny but noticeably cooler, with a high near 58 and northwest winds around 7 to 10 mph. Another cold front could bring a few light showers Friday evening or overnight, although the chance of measurable rain remains low.
Temperatures will drop into the mid-30s Friday night, setting up the first meaningful frost and freeze concerns of the season. Gardeners should keep tender plants covered or indoors, especially outside the warmer urban core.
Weekend Brings Frost And Possible Freezes
Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 54, followed by a clear night and a low around 34. Sunday stays sunny near 55, but another night near 34 degrees could bring frost, with the coldest readings expected in outlying and rural areas.
The dry, below-average pattern continues into next week, with afternoon highs mostly in the mid-50s and overnight lows near 34 degrees through Wednesday. Raleigh has no watches, warnings or advisories posted in this forecast, but the cold nights could be a bigger issue than the modest daytime temperatures suggest.
