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

ncwxauthority

August 11, 2026 at 2:20:12 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

Minor Winter Weather Event Possible Wednesday Night: Could lead to more slick travel.

Writer: Ethan Clark
Ethan Clark
Feb 4
2 min read

Winter Weather Update: Hey all, we're still on track for another round of Winter Weather tonight. It should be a minor event, but I can't rule out some slick travel tonight after sunset through about 10/11AM Thursday in spots, especially across Central and Eastern North Carolina. A low-pressure system with a cold front is moving through the state, bringing mostly plain cold scattered rain right now that'll continue on and off for the rest of the day. However, as some cold air tries to chase the moisture this evening into the overnight hours. We could see a mixed bag of precipitation in spots across the state. This could cause slick travel in some areas tonight through Thursday morning. It might be best to delay travel until midmorning on Thursday, especially on elevated surfaces, bridges, and overpasses.

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Orange-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Wake-Johnston-Wilson-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Cumberland-Sampson- Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Hoke-Anson-Richmond-Scotland-Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Bertie-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Robeson-Bladen-Inland Pender-Tyrrell-Mainland Hyde-Jones-Pamlico-Northern Craven-Southern-Craven-West Carteret-Inland Onslow-Coastal Onslow- until 10AM Thursday.

Amounts will generally be minimal to nonexistent in most areas.

Light Blue: Rain could switch to snow/sleet or even some Freezing Rain later this evening, mainly after sunset when temperatures fall near or below freezing. Some light scattered accumulation of snow and sleet will be possible in spots across the blue areas, with even a light glaze of Freezing Rain not being ruled out. I don't think everyone in the light blue area will see snow/sleet/freezing rain, but some areas will, especially in the higher elevations and the northern counties farther east. Flakes to up to 1 inch of snow/sleet can't be ruled out in some spots.

Pink: This is basically from Raleigh south and east. Rain will switch to scattered snow showers/sleet and isolated, limited freezing rain/drizzle tonight through Thursday morning. A light glaze of ice on elevated surfaces, and possibly some spots with a dusting of snow, may be possible.

Dark Green: Mainly scattered plain rain to nothing, potentially some snowflakes or sleet mixing in at times late Wednesday night.

The Bottom Line: Cold air chasing moisture is not effective, but some limited impacts are still possible even with low moisture. Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, could become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning commute. Nothing to panic about a very minor event, but if you have morning plans. Be aware of the risk of slick travel in areas where temperatures are below 32°.

 
 
 

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