A Frost Advisory remains in effect through 8 a.m. Tuesday across much of central North Carolina. Raleigh was clear at 6:15 a.m., with a feels-like temperature of 43 degrees, and is forecast to reach about 71 under sunny skies this afternoon. The warmer city reading does not rule out frost in colder nearby spots.
Why frost can vary from place to place
The National Weather Service Raleigh says frost can form below 36°F, particularly in rural areas, and vary considerably across a small area. Its Frost Advisory criteria include forecast temperatures of 33°F to 36°F under conditions favorable for frost. Sheltered, low-lying locations are the concern in this advisory; the precise conditions at an individual garden may differ from the reading in Raleigh.
For a brief cold spell, NC State Extension advises covering vulnerable plants with frost cloth; small transplants can be covered overnight with waxed paper cups. Whether plants in a particular location will encounter frost depends on local conditions.
A past freeze is context, not a forecast
Raleigh has recorded a November freeze before: the NWS Raleigh climate summary for November 2022 says the city fell to 31°F on November 14, its first recorded freeze of that fall season. That dated observation shows one past local freeze; it does not establish a trend or predict this week’s temperatures.
The rest of the week
Tuesday night is expected to be mostly clear with a low near 46. Wednesday, Veterans Day, is forecast to be mostly sunny and reach about 71. The NWS Raleigh forecast then brings a 40% chance of showers Thursday, mainly in the afternoon and evening, with a high near 69; showers could linger Thursday night before ending early Friday.
Friday’s forecast high is about 58, followed by highs near 63 Saturday and 57 Sunday. Lows are forecast around 34 Saturday night and 35 Sunday night. The NWS also warns that upper-20s temperatures are possible in outlying areas as part of a broader frost and freeze threat. For a limited seasonal reference, its Raleigh climate report lists a normal maximum of 65°F for the report’s day. That daytime normal is not a direct comparison with the forecast overnight lows.
