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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

Bitter Cold arrives for Friday through the Christmas Weekend

Brace yourself Arctic blast arrives today, temps will crash 20-30° through the day. Happy Friday, North Carolina! The Arctic cold front is rolling through the state this morning; temps will crash from west to east through the morning. Below is the afternoon "high temps" the high temperature officially occurred early this morning, but for better understanding, here's what the 3PM temps should look like. I expect temperatures to fall throughout the day and until the overnight; most areas will remain below freezing until Sunday afternoon, and some areas until Monday. A few showers are possible early this morning; some snow is possible in the mountains. I expect clearing skies which will lead to mostly sunny skies by the afternoon.



Key Points:


Temps crash through the day, and dangerous Wind Chills by this afternoon and overnight.


Don't forget your pets BRING THEM INSIDE


Winds will be gusty wind gusts up to 50MPH across the state; some down trees and power outages are expected.


Lots of questions about the roads; I expect most areas outside of the mountains to be fine high winds will dry, and any roads that are wet before they freeze. Some icy roads are possible in the mountains.

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