North Carolina – Damp air hangs heavy along the coast, but a sharper chill is waiting just offshore. As clouds thicken and winds shift, southeast North Carolina is heading toward a winter pattern that could flip rain to ice and create hazardous travel from Saturday into early next week.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, hazardous weather is not expected immediately, but conditions change quickly this weekend. Freezing rain and sleet are possible from Saturday into Sunday as colder air presses south. Forecasters warn that power outages and travel disruptions may develop if ice builds on roads, trees, and power lines.
In Wilmington and surrounding coastal communities, rain becomes more likely Friday and Saturday. Temperatures then drop toward freezing Saturday night, raising concern for icy patches on bridges, overpasses, and untreated roads. Even small ice amounts can make travel dangerous, especially near the Cape Fear River bridges and along U.S. 17.
Sunday stays unsettled. Rain continues, but colder air nearby keeps the threat of freezing rain in play, mainly inland and during early morning or late evening hours. Gusty breezes off the water add a raw feel and may worsen impacts if power lines become coated.
Drivers should plan ahead if traveling this weekend. Slow down on wet or icy pavement and allow extra time, especially during early morning hours. Residents are urged to charge devices, secure loose outdoor items, and monitor updates as the temperature line shifts.
Dangerously cold temperatures or wind chills may follow late in the weekend or early next week as Arctic air spreads east. While exact impacts remain uncertain, the setup favors additional advisories.
Five-Day Outlook for Wilmington, North Carolina
• Today: Mostly cloudy, warmer, high near 65
• Friday: Chance of rain, high near 58
• Saturday: Rain likely, turning colder, high near 40
• Sunday: Rain with freezing risk at times, high near 50
• Monday: Chance of rain early, colder, high near 44
