Honestly, if you’ve lived in Eastern North Carolina for more than a week, you know the drill. You wake up needing a heavy parka and by lunchtime, you’re considering short sleeves because the sun decided to turn the humidity up to a cool 90 percent. That’s just the vibe here. Right now, the weather forecast greenville nc is throwing a bit of a curveball as we head into the thick of January 2026.
It’s currently 42°F outside, but it feels like 38°F thanks to a steady northwest wind. We’re sitting under a thick blanket of clouds with a 98% chance of rain that isn’t going anywhere fast. If you were hoping for a dry Sunday, I’ve got bad news—today is basically a washout.
What’s Actually Happening This Week?
People always ask why Greenville gets these "wedge" patterns where the cold air just sits here like an unwanted houseguest. It’s that Inner Coastal Plain magic. We aren’t quite at the beach, so we don't get the full moderating effect of the Atlantic, but we’re close enough to the Pamlico Sound that the moisture levels stay high.
Today, Sunday, January 18, we’re looking at a high of 45°F. It’s raining now, and it’ll keep raining through most of the day. But here’s the kicker: as the sun goes down, the temperature is going to crater. We’re expecting a low of 27°F tonight. There’s even a 5% "blink and you'll miss it" chance of some snow flurries mixing in as the moisture exits and the cold air rushes in.
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Tomorrow is a total 180. Monday, January 19, brings full sun and a high of 51°F. It’ll be beautiful, but don't let the sunshine fool you; that low of 26°F at night means your windshield will be a solid sheet of ice by Tuesday morning.
The Mid-Week Rollercoaster
Tuesday stays chilly with a high of only 42°F under clear skies. Then, things get weirdly warm again. By Thursday, January 22, we’re spiking up to a high of 59°F.
That’s Greenville for you. You’ll use your heater and your A/C in the same 48-hour period.
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- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, high of 49°F.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, high of 59°F (the warmest day of the week).
- Friday: Light rain returns, high of 52°F.
That Weekend Storm Everyone Is Texting About
If you’ve been looking at the long-range weather forecast greenville nc, you’ve probably seen the Saturday and Sunday outlook. It looks... messy.
Saturday, January 24, starts with rain and snow mixing together as the high struggles to reach 39°F. By Saturday night, the chance of snow jumps to 75%. This isn't just a "dusting" conversation anymore. Sunday, January 25, is currently showing a "heavy snow storm" condition with a high of only 34°F.
Is it going to stick? In Greenville, that’s the million-dollar question. Usually, our ground is too warm, but with three nights in a row of lows in the 20s preceding this, we might actually see some accumulation. The wind is also expected to kick up to 14 mph from the north, so the wind chill is going to be brutal.
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Why Does Our Weather Feel So "Off"?
There's a lot of talk about how the winters in North Carolina are changing. Dr. Kathie Dello and the folks over at the North Carolina State Climate Office have noted that our "coldest days" are actually getting warmer over the long term. But "warmer" is relative. We’re seeing more extreme swings. Instead of a consistent 45-degree winter, we get 70 degrees on Tuesday and a blizzard on Sunday.
That’s mostly due to the jet stream dipping further south, dragging Arctic air into a region that’s still pumping in humid air from the Gulf and the Atlantic. When those two meet right over Pitt County, you get the "ice pellets on your windshield" special.
Practical Advice for the Next Few Days
Look, I’m not your mom, but you’ve gotta layer up this week. The humidity is sitting at 96% today, which makes 42°F feel way more "bone-chilling" than a dry 42°F in somewhere like Denver.
- Check your tires: That drop from 45°F today to 27°F tonight is a recipe for black ice on the bridges over the Tar River.
- Protect the plants: If you were ambitious and put something out during that warm spell last week, bring it in. We have multiple nights of 19°F to 21°F coming up next week.
- Watch the Saturday forecast: If you have plans to drive toward Raleigh or down to New Bern next weekend, keep a close eye on that snow storm potential.
Greenville weather is basically a game of "will it or won't it." Right now, it looks like it definitely will—at least in terms of the cold. Grab some heavy socks and maybe some extra milk and bread, just in case that Sunday snow storm decides to actually show up.
Make sure to double-check your tire pressure today; these rapid temperature drops from 50 to 20 degrees usually trigger those annoying "low pressure" sensors by tomorrow morning.