North Carolina — A calm, cool dawn settles over the lower Cape Fear, with faint light glinting off quiet docks and still water near Wrightsville Beach. Crisp air meets warm pavement as Wilmington begins a stretch of mild November weather that will shape the first wave of Thanksgiving travel across southeastern North Carolina.
Sun builds quickly through the morning, giving commuters an easy ride along I-40, US-17, and River Road. Dry pavement and light winds help travelers pack in errands and pre-holiday drives. According to the National Weather Service Wilmington, skies remain mostly clear today, and temperatures surge into the upper 60s. Residents should use the stable weather to prep vehicles, finish yard work, and time any coastal trips before patterns shift later this week.
Tonight brings more calm conditions with thin clouds sliding overhead. Fog looks unlikely, though small pockets could form near wetlands south of Leland. Models hint at a subtle moisture increase by Wednesday, but the region stays bright and warm. According to NWS guidance, highs climb through the 70s Wednesday and Thursday while winds stay light, offering ideal conditions for early arrivals to the coast.
The transition begins Thursday night as clouds thicken from the west. While rain holds off until late week, the atmosphere starts to reorganize. Travelers heading inland toward Fayetteville or Raleigh should watch for a Winter Tease early next week, where cooler air might spark a distant light-mix chance in the far Piedmont. Coastal impacts stay low for now, but pattern changes often accelerate in late November.
Saturday stays warm and mostly sunny, though a growing cloud deck may slow beach traffic. For Wilmington, the week ahead remains friendly for early Thanksgiving travel, with only minor adjustments for the weekend.
