Wilmington, North Carolina – Rare Arctic air is pushing all the way to the coast, bringing an extended stretch of unseasonably cold weather to the Carolinas’ shoreline through the end of January and into early February. Overnight lows are expected to fall sharply this weekend, with freezing temperatures reaching areas that typically avoid prolonged winter cold, including coastal North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the pattern from Jan. 27 through early February favors much below normal temperatures across the Southeast. This Arctic air mass is part of a larger national outbreak driving extreme cold across the Midwest and Northeast, while forcing freezing conditions deep into the Carolinas, including coastal communities.
For the coastal Carolinas, the main threats include hard overnight freezes, icy bridges, and the potential for snow, sleet, or freezing rain late this weekend into early next week. Slick travel is possible on U.S. 17, U.S. 74, U.S. 76, I-40 near Wilmington, and elevated roadways around Myrtle Beach. Even light ice could create hazardous driving conditions, especially during early morning hours. Prolonged cold also raises concerns for frozen pipes, impacts to marine interests, and stress on vulnerable infrastructure.
While brief moderation is possible, no sustained warm-up is expected before Feb. 2. Residents are urged to protect plumbing, bring pets indoors, use caution on bridges, and monitor updates closely as additional cold weather advisories and winter alerts may be issued while this Arctic pattern remains in control.
