Raleigh, NC – Dry air and gusty winds will increase wildfire risk across central North Carolina through this evening, creating immediate concerns for outdoor burning and fire spread.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, relative humidity will drop as low as 19% to 26% Monday afternoon, while southwest winds of 10 to 15 mph produce gusts up to 25 mph. These conditions, combined with very dry vegetation and an ongoing statewide burn ban, significantly raise the risk of fast-moving fires from late morning through early evening.
Communities along I-40 and I-85, including Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, and Fayetteville, face the highest fire danger. Officials urge residents to avoid burning yard debris, properly discard cigarettes, and secure any equipment that could spark flames.
As winds ease overnight, attention shifts to cold temperatures. A Frost Advisory is in effect from 2 AM to 8 AM Tuesday for northern and central portions of the state. Lows will fall to 31°F in Roxboro, 34°F in Henderson and Burlington, and near 36–38°F in Raleigh, Durham, and Rocky Mount.
Residents should cover or bring in sensitive plants and be alert for patchy frost early Tuesday. Fire risk will diminish overnight, but cold conditions will persist through sunrise, with additional advisories possible if temperatures fall further.
