Weekend weather update: Snow, freezing rain unlikely in Wilmington area

Wilmington will likely not see the impacts of a winter storm moving through the state this weekend, the National Weather Service predicts.

Forecasts earlier this week predicted Wilmington and surrounding areas could see snow Saturday night into Sunday, but the most recent updates suggest the area likely will not see any winter weather conditions. Saturday is expected to be partly sunny throughout the day before rain moves in overnight into Sunday. Wilmington could see thunderstorms Sunday afternoon.

Wilmington is not expected to see any freezing temperatures, with a low of 35 degrees Saturday night and a high of 61 Sunday. The area has a 100% chance of rain, according to the National Weather Service, with expected totals between 1 and 2 inches. Wind gusts could reach 33 mph.

Storms will move out of the area by Monday for a sunny Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a high of 52 degrees.

Area beaches are also under a high surf warning. Coastal Pender and New Hanover counties could see breaking waves up to 8 feet, according to the National Weather Service, creating potentially dangerous swimming or surfing conditions. The high surf advisory will remain in place from 1 p.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Monday.

It’s unlikely any precipitation this weekend will cause much trouble, said National Weather Service meteorologist Jordan Baker on Tuesday. Because of high ground temperatures thanks to recent warm weather, it would take an extended cold period for any freezing weather to stick.

Other areas of the state could see snow and freezing weather as a winter storm moves into the Carolinas. Areas to the northwest of Wilmington, like Whiteville, are under a winter weather advisory, according to the National Weather Service. Further to the northwest, from Asheville to Greensboro, areas could experience moderate to major impacts from the winter storm.

Wilmington last saw measurable snow in January 2018, when more than 3 inches were reported throughout the city. Since then, the Cape Fear has seen some snowflakes, but not enough to stick, Baker said.

For now, Wilmington will have to wait on its next chance of flurries as high temperatures stay in the 50s over the coming days.

Reporter Sydney Hoover can be reached at 910-343-2339 or shoover@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Weekend weather forecast: Snow unlikely in Wilmington area