Triangle temperatures could reach record highs this week. Latest forecast

Temperatures in the Raleigh area could reach record high levels late this week before a cool down over the weekend.

The forecasted high temperature for Friday, Jan. 9 should be in the low to mid 70s, Gail Hartfield, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Raleigh, told The News & Observer in a phone interview. The record high temperature at Raleigh-Durham International Airport for Jan. 9 is 73, set in 2008, so there’s a good chance that Friday’s high temperature breaks the record.

“Our normal high is about 52, and the normal low is 32,” Hartfield said. “We’re gonna probably bust through that and probably have a record high minimum temperature for that day as well.”

Another record that could be broken this weekend could come Saturday, Jan. 10. The highest low temperature ever recorded for that day was 63 degrees in 1937, and the forecasted low temperature Saturday morning is 59, Hartfield said.

“Might be a little tougher to break that record, but it’ll be close,” Hartfield said. “So we’re looking at not only record high temperatures, but record warm overnight lows.”

Cooler temps, rain coming to the Triangle

The higher temperatures will soon give way to a return to normal winter temperatures early next week, but not before the area receives some rain.

Rain chances start Friday, but the lion’s share of precipitation should come Saturday and Saturday night, Hartfield said.

Overall total amounts will be around or less than a quarter-inch, Hartfield said, not enough to alleviate dry conditions. Triangle counties had a “moderate” drought intensity as of Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Lows Sunday night, Jan. 11 should be around 30, and highs Monday, Jan. 12 should be around 47, Hartfield said.

“Enjoy the unseasonably warm weather if you like it, because it’s going to go back to winter early next week,” Hartfield said.

Renee Umsted

The News & Observer

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Renee Umsted is The News & Observer’s Affordability Reporter. She writes about what it costs to live in the Triangle, with a consumer-focused approach. She has a degree in journalism from TCU.