Wilmington, North Carolina – Residents along the Carolina coastline may notice a brief late-January cool-down, but the overall setup points to only a limited chance for snow as colder air struggles to fully reach the coast.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, coastal sections of North and South Carolina sit well south of the primary winter storm track from Saturday through the following Friday. While colder air may filter into the region at times, warmer ocean temperatures and marginal surface readings are expected to significantly limit snow potential.
In southeastern North Carolina, including Wilmington and nearby coastal communities, temperatures are likely to remain above freezing for most precipitation events. Any wintry mix or brief snowflakes would be short-lived and confined mainly to early morning hours, with no meaningful accumulation expected. Travel along U.S. Route 17 and local bridges could briefly turn slick only if colder air arrives faster than expected.
Along the Grand Strand, including Myrtle Beach, and farther south toward Jacksonville, North Carolina, conditions strongly favor rain over snow. Inland locations just west of the coast may see slightly cooler temperatures, but impacts remain limited at this time.
Transportation officials advise drivers to stay weather-aware during early morning commutes, though widespread winter impacts are not anticipated. Additional updates could follow if colder air pushes farther south than currently expected.
