Charlotte metro Tuesday afternoon forecast, Jan. 20, 2026: sunshine fades quickly into a cold, clear evening

A calm, dry afternoon with a steady temperature slide

Charlotte is set for a quiet Tuesday afternoon as a mostly sunny sky holds through late day, with no rain or wintry precipitation expected. Temperatures are projected to remain in the mid-40s through the late afternoon before dropping quickly after sunset.

By 4 p.m., readings are expected to be around 45°F, easing to about 43°F by 5 p.m. and near 41°F by 6 p.m. Skies are forecast to stay sunny through late afternoon, transitioning to clear conditions during the early evening.

Evening conditions: clear skies, falling temperatures toward freezing

After 6 p.m., the metro area is expected to cool rapidly under clear skies. Temperatures are forecast to fall into the upper 30s during the early evening and reach near freezing later tonight. Readings around 38°F are expected by about 7 p.m., then near 35°F by 8 p.m., with temperatures hovering close to 32°F by 9 p.m. and dropping below freezing late evening.

By late night, temperatures are projected to dip into the upper 20s, with a low near 27°F by around 3 a.m. Wednesday. No precipitation is expected through the night, meaning travel impacts related to today’s weather are not anticipated.

Regional outlook: winter storm potential later this week remains under watch

While Tuesday’s conditions are expected to stay tranquil in the Charlotte area, forecasters across the broader Southeast continue to monitor a winter storm possibility later this week into the weekend. The setup could bring a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain to parts of the region, with the exact track and precipitation types still uncertain several days out.

For the Charlotte metro, the potential impacts being monitored include slick road conditions and the possibility of power disruptions if freezing rain were to develop. Specific timing, precipitation type, and amounts remain subject to change as new guidance arrives.

What to know for the rest of Tuesday

• Afternoon: sunny and dry, mid-40s.
• Early evening: skies turn clear; temperatures fall through the 30s.
• Late night: near or below freezing, with lows heading into the upper 20s.
• No precipitation expected in the Charlotte metro through tonight.

Key takeaway: Tuesday afternoon remains calm and dry, but temperatures will drop quickly after sunset, with near-freezing conditions by late evening.