North Carolina and South Carolina to Wake Up to Teens and Single-Digit Wind Chills Monday as Arctic Blast Ends Weekend Warm-Up

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA — Brief Warm-Up Ends With the Coldest Air of the Season, After a short stretch of milder weather this weekend, North Carolina and South Carolina are bracing for a sharp turn back to winter. Forecast maps for early Monday morning show an arctic blast plunging temperatures into the teens across much of the Carolinas, with wind chills even lower.

For fans headed to work, school, or early call times at venues in the Charlotte region and beyond, Monday is expected to deliver the coldest air of the season so far.

Futurecast Temperatures: Teens From Charlotte to Raleigh and the Upstate

A “Futurecast Temps” map for 6:00 a.m. Monday paints nearly the entire region in deep red shading associated with bitter cold:

• Charlotte is projected to drop to around 19°F.
• Surrounding communities such as Gastonia, Concord, Monroe, Rock Hill, Chester, and Lancaster also fall to 18–19°F.
• Mountain locations like Boone and Jefferson are even colder, with readings near 7–8°F.
• Across the Piedmont, cities including Statesville, Salisbury, Hickory, Albemarle, Rockingham, and Wadesboro sit in the mid to upper teens.
• Farther east, Raleigh is forecast to be near 19°F, with Fayetteville close to 20°F.

These numbers represent actual air temperatures, not the “feels-like” values once the wind is factored in.

Wind Chills Fall to Single Digits and Below Zero in the Mountains

A companion “Futurecast Feels Like” map for 2:00 a.m. Monday shows how harsh the cold will feel on exposed skin:

• Wind chills dip to the single digits across much of the Piedmont, including Charlotte, Concord, Monroe, Albemarle, and Salisbury.
• Locations such as Rock Hill, Chester, and Lancaster are projected to feel like 5–10°F.
• In the higher elevations, the cold is more extreme: Boone shows a wind chill near -11°F, with Asheville around -1°F.
• Even farther east, cities like Greensboro, Asheboro, Raleigh, and Fayetteville are expected to feel anywhere from the mid single digits to upper single digits.

For anyone loading gear, waiting in line outside a venue, or walking between parking lots and rehearsal spaces, the cold will be intense and potentially dangerous without proper layers.

Arctic Blast Impact: What Residents and Music Fans Need to Know

An impact graphic tied to the forecast highlights three key points for Monday morning:

• When: The worst cold hits early Monday, centered on the morning commute and pre-dawn hours.
• Impact: Lows in the teens with wind chills even lower will make it feel significantly colder than a typical December morning in the Carolinas.
• Need: Residents are urged to limit time outside, avoid exposing skin, and protect pets from the dangerous chill.

Pipes, vehicles, and outdoor equipment may also be stressed by the cold, so it’s wise to prepare garages, rehearsal spaces, and touring rigs ahead of time.

Safety Tips for the Carolinas Music Community

With concerts, rehearsals, and holiday performances still in full swing, the arctic blast could affect schedules and comfort for artists and fans:

• Dress in layers: Heavy coats, hats, gloves, and scarves are essential for anyone waiting outside clubs or arenas.
• Plan extra travel time: Frosty windshields and very cold starts can slow down the morning drive to studios, schools, and venues.
• Check on bandmates and neighbors: Make sure everyone has safe heat and a warm place to stay, particularly touring crews staying in buses or vans.
• Bring pets inside: Animals should not be left outdoors in teens and single-digit wind chills.

Stay Tuned With ChicagoMusicGuide.com

ChicagoMusicGuide.com will continue to follow this arctic blast across North Carolina and South Carolina, tracking how long the cold lasts and when temperatures will rebound for outdoor shows and holiday events.

Before you hit the road for a gig, line up for a concert, or send kids to early band practice on Monday, check back for more updates to keep your plans — and your music — running smoothly despite the chill.