Central North Carolina Braces for Longest April Heatwave in Decades

Temperatures expected to soar into the 90s for multiple days, breaking records

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:37am

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted earth tones, with a distant town or city silhouetted against a hazy, scorching horizon under a blazing sun, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural environment.As a relentless heatwave grips central North Carolina, the region braces for record-breaking temperatures that underscore the growing threat of climate change.Today in Raleigh

Central North Carolina is set to experience an unusually prolonged heatwave this week, with temperatures forecast to reach the 90s for several consecutive days - a rare occurrence this early in the spring season. Meteorologists say this stretch of hot weather will likely break records dating back to the 1960s and 2000s.

Why it matters

Prolonged high temperatures this early in the year can pose risks to public health, especially for vulnerable populations, and can also strain power grids and water supplies. This heatwave is an example of the types of extreme weather events that climate change is expected to bring more frequently.

The details

Raleigh is expected to see temperatures reach 90 degrees or higher starting on Tuesday and continuing through Thursday, with the possibility of records being broken. Fayetteville could see record highs starting on Thursday that may last through the weekend. This unusual warmth is being driven by a strong high pressure system building in from the south.

  • The last time Raleigh saw two 90-degree days in the same April was in 2009.
  • The last time Raleigh had three consecutive 90-degree days was over 20 years ago, in 2002.
  • On average, Raleigh's first 90-degree day of the year comes on May 11, so this week's heat is arriving about a week earlier than usual.

The players

Raleigh, North Carolina

The capital city of North Carolina, located in the central part of the state, which is expected to experience record-breaking heat this week.

Fayetteville, North Carolina

A city in central North Carolina that is also forecast to see record high temperatures starting on Thursday and continuing through the weekend.

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What they’re saying

“Until then, make sure to have the fan and water close by as the hottest air so far this year arrives.”

— Matthew Huddleston

What’s next

Meteorologists are hopeful that a cooler pattern will return to the region early next week, providing relief from the prolonged heatwave.

The takeaway

This extended period of extreme heat in central North Carolina is a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change, and the need for communities to prepare for more frequent and intense weather events in the years to come.