Waking up in the City of Oaks during January always feels like a bit of a gamble. One day you're walking around Pullen Park in a light hoodie, and the next, you're scouring the back of the pantry for road salt. If you’ve been looking at the north carolina raleigh weather forecast 10 day, you already know the upcoming week is looking pretty chaotic.
Honestly, it’s classic North Carolina. We have a "wintry mix" on the horizon that’s going to make Monday morning commutes interesting, followed by a legitimate Arctic blast that will have your HVAC system working overtime.
The Immediate Outlook: Rain Turning to Snow
Saturday, January 17, is starting off deceptively mild with a high near 54°F. It’s cloudy and a bit breezy, but don't let the afternoon warmth fool you. By tonight, a system is rolling in that changes everything. We're looking at a 45% chance of light rain after midnight, with temperatures dropping to a low of 33°F.
Tomorrow, Sunday, is where things get "NC snowy." The forecast calls for a high of only 41°F with rain and snow likely, especially in the morning. Now, before you run to Harris Teeter for bread and milk, keep in mind that the ground is still relatively warm. The National Weather Service is hinting at a trace to maybe an inch of accumulation, mostly on "grassy and elevated surfaces." Basically, it’ll look pretty on the bushes but might just be a slushy mess on the asphalt.
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The Sunday Night "Flash Freeze"
The real danger isn't the snow itself; it's what happens after the sun goes down on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to plummet to 26°F. Any puddles or leftover slush from the morning are going to turn into patchy black ice. If you’re heading out early Monday morning—specifically along the I-95 corridor or Highway 64—take it slow. Black ice in Raleigh is no joke, and it only takes one invisible patch to ruin your week.
Mid-Week Deep Freeze and the 10-Day Trend
Once the Sunday system clears out, we’re left with some seriously cold, dry air.
Monday and Tuesday will be bright and sunny, but "sunny" doesn't mean "warm." Monday’s high is 45°F, and Tuesday drops even further to a high of just 37°F. The overnight lows are the headline here: we’re looking at 23°F Tuesday night.
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Here is the quick breakdown of the north carolina raleigh weather forecast 10 day as of mid-January:
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Mostly cloudy with a high of 45°F and a low of 23°F. It's that dry, biting cold that Raleigh gets when the Arctic air settles in.
- Thursday, Jan 22: A slight "warm-up" to 51°F. Still cloudy.
- Friday, Jan 23: Partly sunny, high of 48°F.
- The Next Weekend (Jan 24-25): Clouds return. We’re looking at highs in the low 50s and high 40s, with rain chances creeping back up to 60% by Sunday.
Why Raleigh Weather is So Hard to Predict
If you've lived here long enough, you know the "Appalachian Wedge" or Cold Air Damming. Cold air gets trapped against the mountains and stays draped over the Piedmont, while warmer air from the coast tries to override it. This is why we get so much freezing rain and sleet instead of big, fluffy snowfalls.
A one-degree difference in the "boundary layer" (the air right near the ground) determines if we get a beautiful winter wonderland or a literal skating rink on Glenwood Avenue. For the Sunday event, the boundary layer is expected to be just warm enough to melt most of the flakes before they hit the pavement, hence the "slushy" forecast.
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Practical Steps for the Next 48 Hours
Don't wait until the ice hits to prep. Here’s what you actually need to do:
- Drip those faucets: If your house is older or has pipes on exterior walls, Sunday night through Tuesday night will be cold enough to cause issues. A slow drip can save you a massive plumbing bill.
- Check your tires: Cold air causes tire pressure to drop. If your "low air" light wasn't on yesterday, it probably will be by Monday morning.
- Wiper blades up: If you're parking outside Saturday night, pull those wipers away from the windshield. It makes clearing the morning slush/ice a hundred times easier.
- Watch the "shady spots": Even if the main roads look dry on Monday, the sections of road under bridges or shaded by trees will stay icy long after the rest of the street has thawed.
Basically, stay weather-aware. Raleigh winters are short, but they can be incredibly fickle. Enjoy the Sunday morning flurries if they happen, but keep a very close eye on those plummeting temperatures Sunday night.