North Carolina starts the morning under a sharp winter chill, with frost clinging to rooftops, stiff car doors, and cold air pooling near the coast. Wilmington wakes up near 22 degrees, an unusually cold start for mid-December that may surprise early commuters and holiday travelers.
According to the National Weather Service, today remains sunny but cold. Afternoon highs climb to the low 50s, though shaded roads, bridges, and docks may stay slick through the morning hours. Drivers should use caution early, especially near the Cape Fear River and low-lying coastal roads.
Temperatures recover quickly Wednesday. Increasing clouds push highs into the low 60s, helping thaw frozen ground and easing travel conditions. For now, December feels calmer, but the pattern remains active.
Attention turns to Thursday. A developing system brings a 20 to 50 percent chance of showers by afternoon, increasing into Thursday night. Rain becomes more widespread, with a 90 percent chance overnight. Wet pavement and reduced visibility could slow evening travel along U.S. 17 and College Road.
Meteorologists are watching the temperature trend closely. While snow is not expected, the warm-to-cool transition following the rain raises concern for slick spots if temperatures fall quickly afterward. Coastal winds may also increase briefly during heavier showers.
Friday brings improvement. Sunshine returns, highs reach the mid-60s, and roads dry out ahead of the weekend. Cooler air settles back in Friday night, but without the sharp cold seen this morning.
Looking ahead, the weekend turns pleasant. Saturday stays sunny with highs near the upper 50s, while Sunday warms into the mid-60s — favorable conditions for Christmas travel and outdoor plans.
5-Day Outlook for Wilmington, NC
- Today: Sunny, cold start, high near 51
- Wednesday: Increasing clouds, high near 62
- Thursday: Showers likely late, high near 69
- Friday: Mostly sunny, high near 64
- Saturday: Sunny, high near 57
