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Tropical Update: The tropics are beginning to get more active. Watching!

ncwxauthority

August 11, 2026 at 7:20:12 PM

🌀 Tropical Update: Good afternoon, everyone. I'm sure everyone is sick of working on this fine Tuesday, so as you take your scroll break from work, I thought you'd love to read my tropical update. In true fashion as we head toward the start of schools/colleges, the tropics are coming alive, and this year is no different. I am, and forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are monitoring two main areas for potential tropical development in the Atlantic Ocean and two areas in the Pacific Ocean, with one showing a potential threat to Hawaii.


In the Atlantic, we have an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic moving away from the United States that has a low chance 20% of some Tropical Development over the next 5-7 days, but does not pose any threat to NC!


Down in the Main Development Region of the Atlantic, we've had several tropical waves that are moving off Africa over the next 5-10 days, and some are trying to show signs of development. There is now a 70% from the National Hurricane Center that a Tropical Depression or Storm will develop in this area. There remains high wind shear and dry air, so it'll face an uphill battle as it moves generally westward across the Atlantic. Since the system has not even developed, let's take models with a grain of salt and not jump to too many conclusions, but the threat to North Carolina at this point is rather low. So there's no reason to worry at this point.


Image 2: Is a graphic I created to give you an idea how long it takes tropical systems to travel across the Atlantic Ocean (NOT A FORECAST), just an example. This location is 10-14 days away, and it may not even survive the trek across. There could be some enhanced moisture to parts of the Caribbean Islands which they very much need.


Over in the Pacific, there is an area of disturbed weather over 1k miles east southeast of the Hawaiian Islands that has a high chance of becoming a Tropical Depression or Storm. Interests in the Hawaiian Islands should closely


monitor the progress of this system.


I'll keep you posted all season long; nothing to worry about right now in NC!

Mountains

110°F

Raleigh area

CADEN NELSON

CADEN NELSON

ANOTHER ICE EVENT FOR FOOTHILLS AND MOUNTAINS

Freezing Rain will be possible in the Foothills and Mountains late tonight and into Saturday morning. Accumulating Freezing Rain is possible before changing to rain late morning, tomorrow morning would be a great time to stay inside into lunch.


WHAT: A low pressure system will move east along the Gulf coast and send abundant moisture into the region atop a wedge of surface-based cold air tonight. This setup is favorable for a wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet changing to freezing rain and rain along and near the Blue Ridge escarpment in North Carolina. Light freezing rain is expected to mix in with rain across portions of the northwest piedmont of North Carolina as well. Light accumulations could lead to isolated power outages and travel difficulties.


Our official forecast map shows a .10 of an inch of ice to very isolated a quarter of an inch of ice, from the NC/SC line to south of Boone. Starting at Columbus, Asheville, Hickory, Marion, South of Boone. Boone north areas in dark pink have the potential to see up to a quarter of an inch of ice accumulation.



Threats, Minor problems expected. Slick spots on roads, and a glaze of ice on bridges and overpasses. Sidewalks will become slick, some minor power-outages will be possible. A changeover to rain will occur by mid-morning.


Winter Weather Advisory has also been issued for: Alleghany, Ashe, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell , McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Mitchell, Transylvania, Yancey, Alexander, Catawba, Davie, Iredell County from 7:00PM tonight until 8am Saturday

 
 
 

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