Near-70° January Warm-Up: How Unusual Is This for Our Area?

If it feels more like March than January this week, you’re not imagining things.

Temperatures across Rowan, Davie, and Davidson counties are expected to climb into the upper 60s to near 70 degrees by mid-week, well above what we normally see this time of year.

What’s Normal for Early January?

In early January, average high temperatures across the Piedmont usually sit in the upper 40s to near 50 degrees, with overnight lows in the upper 20s to low 30s.

This week’s forecast puts daytime highs 15–25 degrees above normal, which is enough to make winter jackets feel optional — at least in the afternoon.

Why Is It So Warm?

This warm-up is being driven by a few key factors:

• High pressure is in control, keeping storms away

• Southwest winds allow milder air to flow in from the southern U.S.

• A strong upper-level ridge acts like a lid, trapping warmer air over the Southeast

Together, this creates a pattern that favors sunshine, dry weather, and unseasonably warm temperatures.

Is This Rare?

It’s not unheard of, but it is notable.

January warm spells happen every few years, and North Carolina is especially prone to them thanks to our location between colder northern air and warmer Gulf air. That said, highs approaching 70 degrees can put us within striking distance of daily record temperatures, especially by Wednesday.

How Long Will It Last?

Not forever.

While dry and mild weather sticks around through mid-week, rain chances increase late in the week as a cold front approaches. Temperatures will eventually trend closer to normal behind that front, though nothing suggests a major cold blast right now.

The Bottom Line

• Yes, this warmth is unusual for January

• It’s being driven by a classic Southeast winter pattern

• Enjoy the mild afternoons, but don’t pack away the winter gear just yet

Winter in North Carolina has a habit of reminding us it’s not done.