The morning air over Wilmington carries a light salt breeze and just a hint of November crispness — but it won’t last. As the sun climbs over the Cape Fear River, a burst of late-fall warmth begins to spread across southeastern North Carolina, setting up a weekend that feels more like early October than mid-November.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, today will reach the mid-70s under mostly sunny skies. Winds shift from east to south, pulling in warmer air through the afternoon. Saturday follows the same pattern, with highs near 78°F and low humidity — ideal for outdoor events, travel, and early holiday prep.
However, changes loom just beyond Sunday. Increasing clouds and a developing front bring a 30% chance of showers and a few thunderstorms late Sunday into Sunday night. Rain totals look light, but brief downpours and gusty breezes may cause slick roads along U.S. 17 and I-40 as the system pushes east.
By Monday morning, drier air returns behind the front, but temperatures tumble sharply. Highs will only reach the upper 50s — nearly a 20-degree drop in 24 hours. Clear skies Monday night could send lows into the lower 30s inland, signaling the first real chill of the season.
Looking ahead, Veterans Day turns bright and cool with a high near 61°F before another warming trend midweek. For now, the weekend invites one last stretch of coastal warmth before winter’s early whisper arrives along the Carolina shore.
