Honestly, if you've lived in the Port City for more than a week, you know the Wilmington NC weather forecast is basically a suggestion, not a rule. One minute you're grabbing a coffee at Bespoke and it’s a crisp 35°F, and by the time you're walking the Loop at Wrightsville Beach, you’re peeling off layers because the sun decided to turn things up.
Right now, we are sitting in the thick of January. It’s nighttime as I write this, and the thermometer is hovering at exactly 35°F. With a northwest wind kicking at 12 mph, the "feels like" temperature is a much more biting 25°F. That’s the thing about our coastal winter—the humidity makes the cold stick to your bones in a way that feels way heavier than the dry cold you'd find in the mountains.
The Rollercoaster of the Next Few Days
If you’re looking at the Wilmington NC weather forecast for this week, prepare for some serious whiplash. Tomorrow, Friday, January 16, is looking like a carbon copy of today: sunny with a high of 45°F and a low of 29°F. It’s textbook "Carolina Blue" sky weather. But don't get used to the chill.
By Saturday, the wind flips to the southwest, and we’re jumping up to a high of 62°F. That is a 17-degree swing in 24 hours. That’s Wilmington for you. Saturday will be cloudy, and honestly, it’s going to feel a bit muggy with humidity hitting 63%.
Then comes Sunday. If you had outdoor plans, maybe rethink them. We’re looking at a 70% chance of rain during the day with a high of 48°F. It’s going to be one of those raw, gray days where the air just feels wet and heavy.
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Why January is Weird Here
Most people think "South" means "Warm," but Wilmington is a bit of an outlier. Our location right on the Atlantic means the ocean usually keeps us from getting truly "frozen" in, but when those Arctic fronts slip down, they hit the coast and stall.
- The Humidity Factor: Even in winter, our humidity rarely drops into the "desert dry" range. Tonight it’s 38%, but by Sunday it’ll spike to 71%.
- The Snow Myth: We see "snow" in the forecast for Thursday night (0% chance, but the type is listed as snow) and again on Sunday night (10% chance). In Wilmington, a 10% chance of snow usually means three people in Leland see a flake and the grocery stores sell out of bread and milk immediately.
- The UV Index: Even when it's 40°F out, the sun is surprisingly strong. We’re looking at a UV index of 3 early next week. You can still get a bit of a burn if you’re out on a boat or at the beach for hours without realizing it.
Looking Into Next Week
The Wilmington NC weather forecast for early next week shows a return to the "moderately chilly" vibes. Monday and Wednesday both settle around a high of 49°F. Tuesday is the outlier—cold and crisp with a high of only 40°F.
If you're planning ahead for the following weekend, the temperatures start climbing again. We’re talking 61°F on Friday and 62°F on Saturday. However, that warmth comes with a price: the humidity is going to skyrocket to 92% by Saturday, January 24. That usually signals a big front moving through, and sure enough, Sunday, January 25, is showing a 75% chance of heavy rain.
Historical Context: Is This Normal?
Actually, yeah. The average high for Wilmington in January is usually around 56°F, so we’re running a little colder than the mean right now. People still talk about the "Great Christmas Blizzard of 1989" where we got 15 inches of snow, but honestly, that’s a once-in-a-generation fluke. Most years, "winter" is just a few weeks of wearing a real coat before we're back to flip-flops in February.
According to the National Weather Service, our current La Niña phase usually means we have a higher chance of drier weather, but as you can see from the 75% rain chance coming up, "drier" is relative.
Actionable Steps for the Week
Don't let the forecast catch you off guard. Here is how to handle the next 10 days in the Port City:
- Layering is the only way: Saturday’s 62°F will feel like short-sleeve weather if you're in the sun, but as soon as you hit the shade or the wind kicks up, you'll want that hoodie.
- Watch the Sunday Washout: If you have yard work or need to wash the car, do it Friday or Saturday morning. Sunday is going to be a mess.
- Hydrate your skin: The jump from 27% humidity on Tuesday to 92% the following Saturday is brutal on your skin and your sinuses.
- Check your tire pressure: These 20-degree temp swings are exactly what triggers that annoying "low tire pressure" light on your dashboard.
The Wilmington NC weather forecast might be fickle, but it’s rarely boring. Just keep an eye on those Sunday rain chances and enjoy the sun while it's out.