North Carolina — A calm, cool morning settles over Carteret County, with crisp air flowing across marsh grasses and quiet neighborhoods from Newport to Morehead City. The sky glows faintly above the sound, promising clear sunshine and gentle winds as the region steps into the first major Thanksgiving travel stretch of the season.
The day starts dry and bright, giving residents a perfect window for errands, early decorating, and beach-side travel. Roads remain dry through the afternoon, and the mild November warmth should ease commutes along US-70, Route 24, and the causeways into Morehead City. Travelers heading inland toward Kinston or New Bern should watch for a brief hint of morning chill where cooler pockets linger over farmland.
By tonight, moisture increases just enough to allow patchy fog, especially near low-lying inlets and rivers. Visibility may dip at times before daybreak Wednesday, so early travelers should plan a few extra minutes. To be fair, the fog looks light, but models often underestimate coastal thickness.
Wednesday and Thursday bring more sunshine and late-fall warmth. Temperatures climb through the 60s and lower 70s, producing ideal travel weather for early arrivals. Winds stay light, and pavement stays dry, giving residents a smooth lead-up to the holiday.
The pattern begins to shift Thursday night, and clouds gather along the coast. Mild air holds strong, but moisture deepens. Saturday brings a 30% rain chance, mainly after midday. That system stays weak for now, though it may slow regional travel if showers organize along US-70 or the Crystal Coast bridges.
No winter threat appears for coastal North Carolina, but cooler air inland could produce a distant Winter Tease toward the Piedmont early next week—something drivers heading west should watch for.
Thanksgiving travelers along the coast can expect a mostly smooth, mild stretch with only minor weekend hiccups.
