MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. – Dawn breaks over Bogue Sound this Monday morning with just a light westerly breeze rippling the water — the kind of calm, cool air that signals a true North Carolina fall week ahead. Sunshine and crisp mornings will dominate the coast through midweek before a brief warm-up nudges temperatures back into the low 70s.
According to the National Weather Service in Morehead City, Monday begins with a cool northwest wind gusting near 20 mph, keeping air dry and skies clear across Carteret, Craven, and Onslow counties. By Tuesday, winds ease as the pattern stabilizes under a strong ridge of high pressure. Expect highs in the upper 60s to low 70s, with near-perfect visibility on Highway 70 and along U.S. 17 for travelers and commuters.
Evenings will cool quickly, especially inland where lows dip into the mid-40s by midweek. Coastal communities from Emerald Isle to Beaufort will stay milder, holding near 50 degrees at night. Residents should begin thinking about protecting sensitive garden plants by late week, as a cooler, drier air mass moves in from the north by Thursday.
No rain is expected through Friday, marking one of the driest stretches in several weeks. Outdoor events, boating, and beach walks will enjoy calm seas and moderate surf. Still, models hint that inland sections of eastern North Carolina could see their first flirtation with frost early next week — a sure sign the coastal fall season has turned the corner.
Five-Day Forecast for Morehead City, NC:
Mon: 69/46 – Sunny and breezy; dry air settles in.
Tue: 72/58 – Mostly sunny; calm afternoon winds.
Wed: 73/45 – Clear and mild; crisp morning.
Thu: 68/45 – Sunny; cooler breeze develops.
Fri: 67/44 – Bright, dry; early frost possible inland.
