Wilmington, North Carolina – 32°F temperatures are threatening crops and outdoor plants through early Sunday morning, as clear skies and calm winds allow freezing conditions to develop inland across southeast North Carolina. The coldest temperatures will occur late tonight into sunrise, creating a risk of frost and freeze damage away from the immediate coast.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, a Freeze Watch is in effect overnight into Sunday morning for inland counties including Pender, Bladen, and Robeson in North Carolina, along with Dillon and Marlboro counties in South Carolina. Temperatures are expected to fall into the 30 to 34°F range, with some areas briefly reaching or dropping below freezing.
The greatest impact is expected in rural and agricultural areas near Whiteville, Elizabethtown, Burgaw, and Lumberton, where calm winds and dry air will allow temperatures to fall quickly after sunset. Coastal locations such as Wilmington and Carolina Beach will remain slightly warmer, generally in the upper 30s to near 40°F, reducing the freeze risk closer to the ocean.
Residents are urged to protect sensitive vegetation by covering plants or bringing them indoors before temperatures drop overnight. Farmers should take precautions to limit crop damage, especially in low-lying areas where colder air settles.
Freezing conditions will ease shortly after sunrise Sunday as temperatures rebound, but additional frost advisories may be issued if clear and calm conditions persist into early next week.
