North Carolina – A thick morning fog blends with rising tides across the Cape Fear River as Wilmington braces for minor coastal flooding today. Water is already creeping over low spots near USS North Carolina Road and Water Street, with forecasters urging drivers to use caution through noon Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, a Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. EST. Forecasters expect up to a half foot of water above ground level in low-lying areas near downtown and along tidal waterways. The flooding will coincide with high tide late this morning, potentially impacting roads near the Battleship North Carolina and Market Street.
Residents are advised not to drive through standing water or around barricades. Even shallow flooding can hide debris or deeper sections of road. Those in flood-prone zones should secure outdoor items and prepare for brief, localized impacts.
Once tides recede early this afternoon, conditions will gradually improve, though patchy fog and light rain could linger through the evening. Sunday looks drier and brighter, with highs near 56°F, followed by a 40% chance of rain Monday. Sunshine returns Tuesday with cooler air in the mid-40s.
Long-range outlooks show a shift toward colder, drier weather by mid-December, while the northern U.S. braces for lake-effect snow between Dec. 11–17—a sign winter is tightening its grip nationwide.
