Central North Carolina is waking up to an unusually cold start, with early morning temperatures dipping into the mid-30s and even touching 32°F in some areas. Residents across Raleigh, Durham, and nearby communities are seeing light frost on cars, rooftops, and lawns as chilly air settles in overnight.
The National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory through 9 a.m., warning that sensitive plants and early spring crops could be damaged. Areas across the Piedmont, Sandhills, and northern Coastal Plain — including Chapel Hill and Rocky Mount — are most at risk.
For early commuters, especially along I-40 and I-440, conditions may include slight slickness on bridges and overpasses. However, widespread travel disruptions are not expected. As the sun rises higher, temperatures will quickly recover, reaching the upper 60s by afternoon with dry and comfortable conditions.
By Friday, the cold snap fades. Sunshine and mild air return, pushing highs to around 76°F, making it a pleasant day for work, school, and outdoor plans.
The weekend brings a bigger shift. Saturday will feel almost like early summer, with highs near 83°F under clear skies. Sunday continues the trend with temperatures in the low 80s.
Looking ahead, early next week could see highs climbing into the upper 80s and even low 90s — a sharp contrast from today’s frosty start.
