NORTH CAROLINA — The Carolinas wake under a calm, bright sky this morning, but the atmosphere is shifting toward a wet and cooler pattern just as Thanksgiving travel ramps up. After a mild start to the week, a cold front moving in Tuesday could deliver a round of rain and isolated thunderstorms, before cooler, drier air settles in just in time for the holiday.
According to the National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg, Monday will stay warm and calm, with highs near 86°F, marking the last truly mild day before a seasonal drop. Clouds increase Monday night, signaling the next change. By Tuesday, showers develop late morning, spreading east through the day. A few embedded thunderstorms could roll through the Charlotte metro during the afternoon and evening, potentially slowing traffic along I-85 and I-77 as holiday travelers hit the road.
Rain clears by early Wednesday, but cooler air quickly follows. Temperatures will drop nearly 15 degrees from Monday’s highs, with Wednesday’s readings peaking near 71°F, then falling into the upper 30s overnight. Thanksgiving Day looks sunny and seasonably cool — a classic late-November feel with crisp morning air, highs near 53°F, and plenty of sunshine for parade watchers and travelers alike.
Looking toward the weekend, models keep the region dry with highs in the lower 50s and clear skies — a perfect setup for Black Friday shoppers or outdoor family events. Across much of the U.S., however, heavier snow may begin affecting northern and central regions by late week — a signal that winter’s first real grip is closing in on Thanksgiving week.
Five-Day Forecast for Charlotte, NC:
Sun: 70/43 – Sunny; calm breeze.
Mon: 86/47 – Warm; increasing clouds late.
Tue: 68/59 – Rain, isolated thunder; breezy.
Wed: 71/39 – Partly sunny; cooler.
Thu: 53/31 – Thanksgiving sunshine; crisp and clear.
