Record-Challenging Cold Expected in North Carolina as Charlotte Braces for Lowest Temperatures of 2025
NORTH CAROLINA — A surge of dangerously cold Arctic air is forecast to sweep into North Carolina Sunday night, pushing temperatures across the state into the teens and potentially delivering Charlotte’s coldest reading of 2025 so far.
Forecast model guidance from the National Blend of Models (NBM) shows widespread lows between 13°F and 17°F across central and western North Carolina by early Monday morning, Dec. 15. Cities including Charlotte (CLT), Greensboro (GSO), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Hickory (HKY), and Asheville (AVL) are all expected to plunge well below freezing.
Charlotte has already recorded a minimum temperature of 18°F earlier in 2025, but meteorologists warn that this incoming air mass could bring temperatures even lower.
Coldest Morning Expected: Sunday Night Into Monday
The temperature map provided shows:
- Charlotte (CLT): ~14–15°F
- Greensboro (GSO): 13°F
- Raleigh-Durham (RDU): 14–16°F
- Hickory (HKY): 14–15°F
- Asheville (AVL): ~12°F
- Columbia, SC (CAE): 17–19°F
This marks one of the most significant cold outbreaks of the year so far for the Carolinas.
Meteorologists note that while North Carolina frequently experiences cold snaps in mid-winter, this level of early-season cold is notable and potentially record-challenging for some locations.
How Does This Compare to the Past 10 Years?
A 10-year temperature table included in the data shows how 2025 stacks up historically for Charlotte:
| Year | Lowest Min Temperature (°F) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 18° (so far) |
| 2024 | 13° |
| 2023 | 23° |
| 2022 | 9° |
| 2021 | 20° |
| 2020 | 17° |
| 2019 | 19° |
| 2018 | 8° |
| 2017 | 14° |
| 2016 | 14° |
| 2015 | 7° |
Charlotte has dipped into the single digits several times over the past decade — most recently 9°F in 2022. While this upcoming outbreak may not reach those extremes, the expected 13–15°F range would still place it among the top-five coldest lows of the decade.
What This Means for Residents
Officials and forecasters urge North Carolina residents to prepare for potentially hazardous overnight conditions, especially in areas with long durations of sub-freezing temperatures.
Key precautions include:
- Limit early-morning or late-night outdoor exposure.
- Protect pets and livestock from prolonged cold.
- Allow faucets to drip to help prevent frozen pipes.
- Check on elderly neighbors or those without reliable heating.
- Bring outdoor plants and sensitive equipment inside.
Single-digit wind chills are possible in higher-elevation areas such as Asheville.
A Closer Look at the Forecast Models
The temperature forecast highlights a sharply colder air mass sinking into the Carolinas from the north:
- Polar air dominates the Appalachians, driving steep temperature drops from Boone to Asheville.
- Central NC shows a broad 13–17°F zone, including Charlotte and Greensboro.
- Eastern NC remains cold but slightly milder, with mid- to upper-teens expected in places like Raleigh.
Meteorologists note that the timing and intensity of the cold will depend on cloud cover and wind speeds Sunday night — clearer skies could lead to even lower temperatures.
North Carolina is preparing for a potentially record-breaking cold snap, and Charlotte in particular may see its lowest temperature of 2025 by Monday morning. With model guidance showing widespread teens, residents should take precautions and brace for the coldest air of the season so far.
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