Morehead City, North Carolina – Eastern North Carolina marked the winter solstice Sunday with mild temperatures before a dry cold front brings a brief chill.
According to the National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City, Sunday began with cool morning conditions but warmed into the lower 60s by afternoon under generally fair weather. Despite being the shortest day of the year, temperatures remained well above typical late-December averages.
Forecasters said a dry cold front is expected to move through the region Sunday night. While no rain is associated with the front, cooler air will settle in behind it, leading to a noticeably colder start Monday morning across inland and coastal communities.
High temperatures Monday are forecast mainly in the lower 50s, with morning lows dipping into the upper 20s and lower 30s in some locations. Skies are expected to remain mostly sunny, limiting the duration of the cooler conditions.
The National Weather Service indicated that the chill will be short-lived. A warming trend is forecast to begin by midweek, with temperatures rebounding into the lower and mid-60s by Christmas Day.
The outlook currently shows dry conditions through the holiday period, with no widespread rain expected across Eastern North Carolina. Christmas Day is forecast to be mild and rain-free, favorable for travel and outdoor activities.
For commuters and early-morning workers, Monday morning will feel sharply colder compared to Sunday, but afternoons later in the week will trend warmer as high pressure builds in.
