Charlotte, NC – Cool air hums under clear Carolina skies this morning, but residents should brace for an even colder turn before the weekend ends. The Southeast may be spared from snow this time, yet the coming December chill promises frosty mornings and brisk, dry air that will settle in by Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, the next several days remain mostly sunny, with highs in the upper 40s to mid-50s through Saturday. Winds stay light and calm, providing near-perfect weather for outdoor errands or early holiday decorating. By Saturday, temperatures reach near 55°F, but a sharp cold front moves in late Sunday, dropping lows into the upper teens across portions of the Piedmont and Upstate.
For those traveling along I-85 or US-74, expect chilly starts and rapidly cooling evenings. Black ice isn’t expected yet, but the pattern signals an early push toward winter across the southern Appalachians. Sunday’s highs around 46°F will feel noticeably crisper under northwest winds, and Monday morning’s low near 23°F could produce patchy frost.
Experts recommend checking space heaters and outdoor faucets now — pipes may freeze as far south as Greenville and Rock Hill by early next week.
This extended period of calm, clear air marks the prelude to a broader Arctic plunge across the eastern U.S. heading into mid-December. The Carolinas will stay dry for now, but all eyes remain on the jet stream as models hint at a colder, stormier pattern developing closer to the holidays.
5-Day Outlook (Dec. 11–15):
- Friday: Mostly sunny, high 52°F.
- Saturday: Sunny, high 55°F.
- Sunday: Sunny, high 46°F, low 17°F.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, high 38°F.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high 48°F.
