Honestly, if you ask a local what the weather in Raleigh is like, they’ll probably just laugh and tell you to wait five minutes. It’s one of those places. You wake up needing a heavy parka and by lunchtime you’re considering if it’s socially acceptable to wear flip-flops to a business meeting.
Right now, though? It’s a bit of a mess.
Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, Raleigh is dealing with a classic winter "mix." We’re looking at a current temperature of 35°F, but with the wind coming out of the northwest at 8 mph, it feels like 28°F.
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Basically, it's cold. Really cold.
The sky is doing that grey, indecisive thing where it can’t decide between rain and snow. We’ve got an 87% chance of precipitation currently, and the daily forecast shows a 100% chance of snow during the daytime hours. Don’t expect a blizzard, though. The high is hitting 43°F, which is just warm enough to turn most of that "white Christmas" dream into a slushy, muddy reality. By tonight, it clears up, dropping down to a low of 27°F.
The "Four Seasons in a Week" Myth (That’s Actually True)
People talk about North Carolina having mild winters. And yeah, compared to Buffalo or Chicago, we’re living in a tropical paradise. But Raleigh has this weird humid subtropical climate that makes the cold "bite" more than you’d expect.
The humidity is sitting at 90% right now. When it’s 35 degrees and 90% humidity, that dampness seeps right through your "water-resistant" jacket and settles in your bones. It’s not a dry, crisp cold. It’s a soggy, heavy cold.
Most people think Raleigh just skips winter. Not quite. While the average high in January is usually around 52°F, we get these "clippers" or "nor'easters" that dump a dusting of snow—usually about 2.4 inches for the whole month—and then everything shuts down.
Seriously. If a single snowflake survives the trip from the clouds to the pavement on Fayetteville Street, the grocery stores will be emptied of bread and milk within twenty minutes. It's a local tradition.
The Breakdown of a Raleigh Year
If you're planning a trip or thinking about moving here, don't judge us by this January slush.
Spring is the sweet spot.
April and May are basically why people live here. You get these crisp mornings in the 50s and afternoons in the low 70s. Everything is green, the azaleas are exploding, and the pollen is... well, the pollen is a literal yellow fog. It covers your car, your house, and your lungs. It’s the price we pay for the beauty.
Summer is a different beast.
By late June, the "soup" arrives. July is the hottest month, with an average high of 90°F, but it’s the humidity that gets you. You don't walk through the air in a Raleigh July; you swim through it. Afternoon thunderstorms are almost guaranteed. They roll in around 4 PM, dump a bucket of water on the city, and leave it even steamier than before.
Fall is the "redemption" season.
October is statistically our clearest month. The humidity finally breaks, the leaves on the oaks start to turn, and the State Fair brings in that perfect "light jacket" weather. Highs usually hover in the low 70s. It's perfection.
What to Actually Do with Today’s Forecast
If you’re in the City of Oaks today, here’s the reality: the UV index is at 0, and the sky is a blanket of clouds.
- Watch the roads tonight. Since the high is 43°F and the low is 27°F, all that "rain and snow" mix from this afternoon is going to turn into a sheet of black ice by 10 PM.
- Layering is your only hope. You need a base layer for the 28-degree wind chill, but something breathable because 43 degrees in the sun (if it peeks out) can feel surprisingly warm if you’re moving around.
- Humidity is high. At 93% humidity for the day, your hair is going to do whatever it wants. Give up now.
Is the Climate Changing?
It’s worth noting that Raleigh’s winters aren't what they used to be. Data shows our winter average temperatures have climbed about 5.6°F since the 70s. We have about 27 fewer freezing nights than our grandparents did. So while today feels like a frozen tundra, the "big snows" are becoming even more of a rarity. We’re getting more heavy rain events and fewer "stay-on-the-ground" snow days.
Even with the weird slushy mix today, Raleigh remains one of the most liveable cities in the country precisely because the "bad" weather never lasts long. By Tuesday or Wednesday, we could easily be back in the 50s with bright sunshine.
That’s the Raleigh way.
Your Immediate Plan
Since we are looking at a 100% chance of daytime snow and a drop to 27°F tonight, make sure your outdoor pipes are covered and you've finished your errands before sunset. The transition from slush to ice happens fast here. If you're driving, keep a massive following distance—North Carolinians are great at many things, but driving on slushy 35-degree roads isn't top of the list.
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Grab a coffee at a local spot like Cup A Joe or Sola, stay off the I-440 if you can help it, and enjoy the rare sight of white stuff on the ground while it lasts. It’ll probably be gone by Monday afternoon.
Next Steps for You:
Check the local NWS Raleigh briefings for specific black ice accumulations on bridges and overpasses if you have to commute early Monday morning. Keep an eye on the wind chill; that 8 mph breeze is small but enough to make that 35°F feel significantly more biting.**