NWS issues wind advisory for Saturday. How strong could winds get?
If your trash pickup got moved to Saturday thanks to last weekend’s winter storm, you might want to grab your garbage bin off the curb soon.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for central North Carolina until 7 p.m. Saturday. The agency warns that gusts could blow down any unsecured outdoor objects and cause power outages.
As of Saturday morning, Duke Energy’s Outage Map shows about 3,000 households in the Triangle without power and over 18,000 in the state. The state’s power outage map shows roughly 2,400 power outages in Wake, Durham, Orange, Chatham and Johnston counties.
Got your garbage bin inside now? Good. Here’s what the bustling wind will mean for temperatures and driving.
How strong will the winds be?
The winds will blow northwest at 15 to 25 mph, and gusts could reach up to 45 mph, according to the NWS.
Drivers are advised to use extra caution, especially those who drive a high-profile vehicle — SUVs, trucks, buses, RVs and some vans. The winds could also cause additional scattered power outages by blowing tree limbs down.
How cold could it get?
The NWS forecasts a high of 35 degrees in Raleigh on Saturday with wind chills of 25 degrees throughout. Temperatures will drop to a low of 18 degrees Saturday night with wind chills as low as 5 to 10 degrees.
Starting at 11 p.m. Saturday and lasting until 10 a.m. Sunday, Johnston County will be under a cold weather advisory, according to the NWS. The agency advises ensuring pets and livestock have the right shelter to protect from the elements.
This story was originally published February 7, 2026 at 10:49 AM.
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