North Carolina – Headlights glow faintly along coastal highways this morning as thick fog settles across Wilmington and much of the Cape Fear region. Drivers moving along U.S. 17 and Interstate 40 are encountering pockets of dense fog where visibility drops sharply.
Some locations near the coast and inland river valleys are reporting visibility as low as one-quarter mile, making early travel difficult across New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m. across parts of southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. The advisory includes Wilmington, Leland, Burgaw, and surrounding coastal communities.
Humidity sits near 100 percent, allowing fog to thicken near marshes, rivers, and wooded roads. Visibility can change quickly along bridges and low-lying highways near the Cape Fear River.
Drivers should slow down and keep headlights on low beam. Leave extra distance between vehicles and watch for sudden slowdowns. Coastal fog can shift quickly as sunlight begins to break through later this morning.
Conditions gradually improve by late morning as the fog lifts and sunshine builds. Temperatures will climb quickly into the low 80s across Wilmington, delivering a warm March afternoon.
The quiet spring pattern doesn’t last long. Meteorologists are now tracking a developing round of showers and possible thunderstorms Sunday afternoon into early Monday, which could briefly impact coastal travel and outdoor plans.
Residents should also remember the time change early Sunday morning, when clocks jump forward one hour at 2 a.m. The shift brings longer daylight evenings across the Carolinas.
Early next week keeps the spring pattern active with highs near 78 to 79 degrees and additional scattered showers possible.
Are you seeing fog where you live along the Carolina coast this morning?
Five Day Outlook – Wilmington, North Carolina
Today – High 82°F | Dense fog early, then sunny and warm
Tonight – Low 61°F | Partly cloudy
Sunday – High 78°F | Slight chance of showers, then scattered storms
Monday – High 78°F | Chance of showers and thunderstorms
Tuesday – High 79°F | Partly sunny with scattered showers
