CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A veil of early fog lifts over the Queen City this morning, hinting at calm skies ahead — but not for long. Clear conditions will give way to a sharp November cold snap that could send temperatures plunging into the 20s across much of the Carolinas by Tuesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, a Freeze Watch takes effect Monday evening through Tuesday morning for the Piedmont of North Carolina, western Upstate South Carolina, and portions of northeast Georgia. Subfreezing temperatures between 24°F and 28°F are expected, with colder pockets possible in rural valleys and foothills.
The incoming Arctic air mass will mark the coldest air of the fall season, ending the growing season across most of the region. Residents are urged to cover tender plants, wrap exposed pipes, and bring pets indoors before the freeze sets in. Garden hoses and outdoor irrigation systems should also be disconnected and drained.
Monday will stay mostly sunny, but northwest winds up to 20 mph will add bite to afternoon highs in the upper 40s. By nightfall, temperatures tumble quickly. Clear skies and calm air will allow heat to escape, setting the stage for a widespread hard freeze through early Tuesday.
For Veterans Day, the chill lingers, though skies remain bright and winds ease slightly. A gradual warm-up begins midweek, with highs rebounding into the 60s by Thursday — a brief break before another potential late-fall chill late next weekend.
This week’s plunge serves as a seasonal wake-up call for the Carolinas: winter’s edge has arrived, and it’s not waiting until Thanksgiving.
Five-Day Forecast for Charlotte, NC:
Sun: 73/39 – Patchy fog early; mild and sunny.
Mon: 48/26 – Sunny; breezy and sharply colder.
Tue (Veterans Day): 48/35 – Sunny; crisp morning freeze.
Wed: 63/41 – Clear skies; milder afternoon.
Thu: 65/38 – Mostly sunny; comfortable late fall day.
