Tuesday, February 18, 2025

A light winter mix expected for North Carolina’s southeast Saturday; temperatures drop into teens by Sunday

Precipitation along the coast is expected on Saturday, with winter precipitation accumulation at less than an inch.
Precipitation along the coast is expected on Saturday, with winter precipitation accumulation at less than an inch. (Graphic courtesy of the National Weather Service in Wilmington)

UPDATE: 5 p.m. Friday

Forecasters with the National Weather Service have issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the area, as a light winter mix of precipitation is foretasted to hit the region on Saturday.

A Wind Advisory is possible early Sunday morning and Monday morning. 

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WILMINGTON — A winter weather event is expected to hit the area this weekend, bringing a mix of precipitation to the coast on Saturday and a significant drop in temperatures beginning Sunday.

Precipitation could start to fall in the form of rain late Friday, but as the colder air makes its way to the coast on Saturday morning, the Wilmington area could see some sleet, freezing rain and possibly some flurries or snow, according to Warning Coordination Meteorologist National Weather Service Steve Pfaff.

A dusting is expected on grassy surfaces and elevated areas on Saturday, with accumulations predicted at less than an inch of precipitation. There may be a chance of light snow showers, Pfaff said, but the precipitation will pull away from the coast late Saturday afternoon.

A cold air mass will settle into the area overnight Saturday, with temperatures dipping down into the upper teens and 20s by Sunday morning. Temperatures will remain in the upper teens Monday morning. Pfaff said the temperatures are ones the Wilmington area hasn’t seen since February 2015.

Potential hazardous impacts the winter storm may have along the coast include black ice on area roads, bridges and overpasses. As temperatures continue to drop into Sunday and Monday, there is the potential for freezing pipes and hazardous conditions for outside pets and people who work outdoors.

If you’re traveling across the state this weekend, there are greater impacts inland. Snow fall totals will be greater further north and northwest of the area, Pfaff said, creating hazardous road conditions on North Carolina highways further inland.

Forecasters predict the arctic air mass will pull away from the area by Tuesday, with temperatures returning to normal and rising into the 50s and 60s in the later part of next week.

Stay updated on the most recent weather forecast by visiting the National Weather Service website or follow them on Twitter @NWSWilmingtonNC and Facebook.

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