You’ve probably heard the old saying that if you don’t like the weather in North Carolina, just wait five minutes. In Morehead City, that’s not just a cliché—it’s basically a survival strategy. Right now, we are staring down a week that starts with coastal humidity and ends with a genuine chance of snowflakes hitting the brackish water of Bogue Sound.
Honestly, the 10 day weather forecast morehead city nc is looking like a bit of a rollercoaster.
We’re currently sitting at a comfortable 57°F with mostly cloudy skies, but don’t let that fool you into leaving your coat at home. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, we’re topping out at 60°F before a cold front decides to crash the party. By tonight, the chance of light rain jumps to 40%, and that’s just the opening act for a wild Sunday.
Why Sunday Is the Day Everyone is Talking About
If you have plans to be out on the water tomorrow, you might want to rethink that. Sunday, January 18, is bringing a weird mix of rain and snow. Yes, snow. In Morehead.
The high is only hitting 47°F, but it's the 75% chance of precipitation during the day and a 45% chance of snow at night that has people checking their propane tanks. Northwest winds will be whipping at about 16 mph, which, when combined with 90% humidity, creates that "bone-chilling" damp cold that only coastal folks truly understand. It’s the kind of weather where a "50-degree day" feels like 30 because the air is just so heavy.
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By Monday, January 19—Martin Luther King Jr. Day—the clouds should clear out for a beautiful but crisp sunny day. The high will stay around 48°F, but the overnight low is dropping to 29°F. If you’re heading to the MLK Jr. Celebration at the Crystal Coast Civic Center, definitely layer up.
The Mid-Week Chill and Coastal Wind
Mid-week is looking dry but definitely chilly. Tuesday is looking like the coldest daytime stretch of the bunch with a high of only 43°F. Here is how the numbers are shaking out for the rest of the week:
Wednesday brings the clouds back with a high of 50°F and a 65% chance of rain moving in overnight. This looks like a steady, soaking light rain that will linger into Thursday morning. Thursday itself should see a high of 52°F.
Winds are staying relatively manageable after the Sunday gustiness, mostly hovering between 7 mph and 14 mph from the north and northwest. This means the sound side might be a little choppy, but we aren't looking at any major gale warnings for the immediate forecast period.
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The Fishing Outlook: Is it Worth Heading Out?
I talked to a couple of local guys near the docks, and the consensus is pretty clear: it’s Bluefin season, but you’ve gotta pick your windows. The current 10 day weather forecast morehead city nc suggests that Monday and Tuesday might be your best bet for calmer seas, even if you’re shivering in the cockpit.
- Target Species: Bluefin tuna trips are the big draw right now. Some boats have been reporting 55-pound bi-catch on live bait trips recently.
- Inshore Action: If you’re sticking to the marshes, the speckled trout bite is still alive, but you have to work for it. They’re sluggish. Use slow-suspending baits like a Mirrolure 17MR.
- The Jetties: Black drum and tautog are hugging the structure. When the wind allows you to get to the jetties (look at Friday, Jan 23), it's worth the trip.
One thing to keep in mind is the water temperature. Near Frying Pan Shoals, it’s hovering around 61°F, but closer to the shore in the shallow sounds, it’s much colder. If you go overboard in this weather, you’ve got minutes, not hours. Wear your life jacket.
Planning for the Next Weekend
Looking ahead to next weekend, January 24 and 25, things start to moderate slightly. We’re looking at highs in the mid-50s. Saturday, Jan 24, looks mostly cloudy with a high of 56°F—kinda perfect for the Burns Night Supper happening that evening.
However, don't get too comfortable. Monday, Jan 26, is currently showing another rain-to-snow transition with a 75% chance of wintry mix overnight. It seems January 2026 wants to leave its mark with a bit of ice.
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Real Talk on Coastal Winter Preparedness
Living here, we know that "snow" usually means "half an inch of slush that shuts down Highway 70 for three hours." But the real threat is the salt spray combined with freezing temps. It can do a number on your outdoor fixtures and boats.
- Flush your engines: If you’ve got a boat in the water or on a lift, make sure you're keeping up with maintenance. Freezing temps and salt are a bad combo.
- Drip the faucets: With lows hitting 27°F on Tuesday night, those older houses near the waterfront might need a little help to keep pipes from freezing.
- Check the tides: Winter winds from the northwest can actually "push" water out of the sound, leading to lower-than-normal low tides. If you’re navigating the channels, be extra careful.
The 10 day weather forecast morehead city nc is definitely leaning into the "winter" side of "coastal winter." We’re seeing a significant departure from the record warmth we sometimes get in January. While the average high is usually 55°F, we have several days this week that won't even break 45°F.
If you're planning to attend the Oyster Roast at AB Bottle Co today, go early. The 60°F high is the warmest you're going to feel for a long while. Once that sun goes down and the rain starts creeping in tonight, you'll be glad you're inside.
Keep an eye on the northwest wind speeds for Sunday. 16 mph might not sound like much, but on the Beaufort waterfront, it’ll bite right through a sweatshirt. Stay warm, keep your lines tight if you're fishing, and maybe keep a bag of salt handy for the porch—just in case that Sunday night snow actually decides to stick.
Practical Next Steps:
- Monitor Sunday's Transition: Check the radar around 4:00 PM Sunday to see if the rain-to-snow line is moving faster than expected.
- Protect Assets: Drain garden hoses and cover outdoor spigots before Tuesday's 27°F low.
- Fishing Strategy: Plan any offshore runs for Friday, Jan 23, when winds drop to 10 mph and skies clear up.