Raleigh weather in late January is a fickle beast. One minute you’re walking through Pullen Park in a light hoodie, and the next, you’re scrambling for a heavy parka because an Arctic front decided to pay a surprise visit to the Triangle. If you are looking at the weather for saturday in raleigh nc, specifically January 24, 2026, you've gotta be prepared for a bit of everything.
Honestly, it’s going to be a "layers" kind of day.
The Saturday Breakdown: Wet, Chilly, and Clearing
The day starts off feeling a bit soggy. We are looking at light rain during the daytime hours with a high of 48°F. That’s not exactly freezing, but with the humidity sitting around 40% and a 10 mph wind coming out of the north, it’s going to feel significantly colder than the number on the thermometer suggests. North winds in Raleigh have a habit of cutting right through a cheap windbreaker.
Basically, if you're heading out to the Downtown Raleigh Run at 8:00 AM, expect it to be damp. The organizers are asking everyone to wear pink, but you might want to make sure that pink outfit is waterproof.
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Here is the quick data for the day:
- High Temperature: 48°F
- Low Temperature: 29°F
- Daytime Condition: Light rain (30% chance)
- Nighttime Condition: Clear
- Wind: 10 mph from the North
- UV Index: 1 (Don't worry about the sunscreen)
Why "The Wedge" Matters
In North Carolina, we deal with something called Cold Air Damming, or "The Wedge." This happens when cold air gets trapped against the Appalachian Mountains and spills over into the Piedmont. It’s the reason why Raleigh can stay stuck in a miserable, 40-degree drizzle while Charlotte is basking in the 60s. For this Saturday, the light rain and northerly winds suggest we are firmly in that cool, damp pattern.
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The precipitation chance is only 30% during the day, which means it won't be a total washout. It’s more likely to be that annoying, misty rain that makes the roads slick but doesn't quite require an umbrella if you're just running from the car to the Lenovo Center.
The Evening Pivot: From Rain to Frost
Everything changes once the sun goes down. The clouds are expected to clear out, leaving us with a clear night. However, that's a double-edged sword. Without cloud cover to trap the day's heat, the temperature is going to crater.
We are looking at a low of 29°F.
If you’re heading to see the World’s Toughest Rodeo at 7:30 PM or catching Random Movement at The Terrace later that night, you'll be walking out of the venue into sub-freezing air. There is a slight 25% chance of snow mentioned for the overnight period as the moisture exits and the cold air rushes in. While it’s unlikely to accumulate, don't be shocked if you see a few stray flakes under the streetlights on Fayetteville Street.
Expert Tips for Raleigh’s Late January Weather
Most people get Raleigh winters wrong by assuming it’s "South" enough to be warm. It isn't. According to data from the National Weather Service, January is typically our coldest month, and the humidity here creates a "wet cold" that feels much more biting than a "dry cold" out west.
- Footwear Choice: With a 30% chance of rain and temperatures dropping to 29°F, the ground will be cold and damp. Skip the canvas sneakers.
- The Wind Factor: A 10 mph north wind means the "feels like" temperature during the day will likely stay in the low 40s.
- Pet Safety: If you’re taking the dog for a walk before the Music Video Costume Party at Tobacco Road, remember that the evening temperature drop is sharp. Once those clouds clear, it gets icy fast.
The most important thing to remember about weather for saturday in raleigh nc is the transition. You’ll start the day dodging raindrops and end it dodging frost patches.
Next Steps for Saturday:
Check the radar around 10:00 AM to see if the light rain is lingering or moving out early. If you have outdoor plans, try to shift them toward the mid-afternoon when the rain chance drops, but keep a heavy coat in the car for any evening events once that 29-degree low starts to settle in.