North Carolina — A thick, misty fog hangs over Wilmington’s riverfront this morning, softening streetlights and blurring the first rush of holiday travel. Early drivers should move with caution — visibility in spots is dropping below a mile as warm, humid air lingers over cooler ground.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington reports patchy fog stretching inland toward Leland and Castle Hayne through mid-morning. Once the haze lifts, skies will brighten quickly, and the region warms fast — highs reach near 77°F this afternoon under mostly sunny skies. Winds will stay light but could gust near 24 mph at times, adding a subtle breeze before a cold front edges closer.
Thanksgiving Day will usher in a crisp change. Sunshine dominates from sunrise to sunset, but cooler air filters in from the northwest. Highs hold near 58°F, while brisk evening winds send temperatures tumbling into the lower 30s — the first frost potential for inland neighborhoods since early November.
By Friday, Wilmington enters a true late-fall chill. Clear skies continue, but highs stay around 50°F, and morning lows dip into the upper 20s. It’s sweater weather for early shoppers and travelers heading home after the holiday.
Saturday brings another sunny, calm day near 50°F, with scattered clouds and light winds. A gradual warm-up returns Sunday as the next system approaches from the Gulf, raising slight rain chances by early next week.
Looking nationally, a major Arctic front expected between December 1–5 could drop temperatures sharply across much of the U.S., possibly pushing the East Coast back into below-normal readings with early winter precipitation in some regions.
Five-Day Outlook (Wed–Sun)
• Today: Fog early, 77°F, mostly sunny.
• Thursday: Sunny, 58°F.
• Friday: Sunny, 50°F.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, 50°F.
• Sunday: Partly cloudy, 58°F.
