Here’s when an Arctic blast will bring super cold temps, hard freeze to Raleigh & central NC
Note: Find an updated weather forecast here.
An Arctic front is blowing through the Triangle tonight, bringing cooler temperatures Wednesday.
The coldest point will be late Tuesday, Jan. 14 through Wednesday, Jan. 15, Phil Badgett, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Raleigh, told The News & Observer in a phone call.
Breezy winds on the forecast Tuesday night and Wednesday morning will make it feel colder than the actual temperature, Badgett said. With gusts up to 25 mph, the “feels like” temperature is expected to be around 10-15 degrees, Badgett said, so take precautions at the bus stop or commuting to work.
The actual and feels like temperatures will be warmer during the day Wednesday.
“With highs only at 37 [degrees], it’s going to be obviously a cold day, but the winds will be lighter in the afternoon,” Badgett said.
Even colder temperatures expected next week
The weather forecast for the weekend is more moderate, with high temperatures around 50 degrees and low temperatures around 30 degrees, plus a chance of rain Saturday, Jan. 18.
But there’s a high probability of another front moving through the area next week that has the potential to be about 10 degrees colder than the front moving through Jan. 14-15.
The Triangle could also get some wintry precipitation, though there’s a lower probability of that, Badgett said.
How to prepare for cold weather
Duke Energy offers ways to save energy during winter:
- Put your thermostat on the lowest comfortable setting.
- Change your air filter.
- Leave drapes and blinds open during the day, but shut them at night.
- Seal cracks in windows, doors and vents.
- Replace standard bulbs with more efficient LEDs.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees or less.
Residents should also make sure their homes are properly insulated. The American Red Cross recommends adding extra insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces, The N&O previously reported.
This story was originally published January 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM.
