North Carolina wakes up wrapped in fog this morning, with headlights glowing softly through thick mist along coastal roads near Wilmington. Visibility drops quickly in spots, and the humid air feels more like early fall than mid-winter—for now.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, patchy dense fog continues through the early morning hours, reducing visibility to one mile or less in places, with pockets near a quarter mile. The fog lifts gradually after sunrise, but caution remains necessary during the morning drive.
Travel impacts center on reduced visibility. Drivers along U.S. 17, College Road, and I-40 near the coast should slow down and allow extra distance. Sudden stops become harder in fog, especially near waterways and low-lying areas. Conditions improve late morning as clouds thin.
Later today, clouds hold with a slight chance of passing showers. Temperatures climb into the mid-70s, unusually mild for January. Winds increase modestly from the southwest, adding movement to the low cloud deck. Roads stay mostly wet but manageable through the afternoon.
A stronger shift arrives tonight and Sunday. Cooler air pushes in, ending the fog threat but dropping temperatures steadily. Sunday turns breezy, with scattered showers early and falling temperatures through the day. By Sunday night, skies clear and colder air settles in.
Lows dip near 30 by early Monday morning, bringing the first real freeze threat of this stretch. Any lingering moisture may refreeze on bridges or elevated roadways inland. Monday stays sunny but cooler, with highs near 50.
By late January, Wilmington gains roughly 40 extra minutes of daylight, stretching evenings a bit longer despite winter’s arrival.
Slow down in fog this morning, plan for cooler nights ahead, and share how visibility looks where you’re driving.
Five-Day Weather Outlook: Wilmington, North Carolina
- Saturday: Patchy dense fog early, slight shower chance. High near 75.
- Sunday: Breezy, chance of showers early. High near 63.
- Monday: Sunny and cooler. High near 51.
- Tuesday: Sunny and mild. High near 57.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny. High near 61.
