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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

THE CHANCES OF SEEING SNOW FALLING FROM THE SKY HAS INCREASED

Feb 17, 2020
2 min read

There’s the potential for winter weather across the state on Thursday/Friday, in fact, the chances of seeing snow falling from the sky have increased. It is not a slam dunk; the forecast is up in the air, and we will not be able to nail down amounts until closer to the event. I will provide an update regarding the solutions and where the best chance to see snow is, also, why you don't need to raid the stores yet!


WHAT: A developing coastal low will impact the state on Thursday the exact location of the low to the coast will affect who sees what. Forecasting snow is a science, and in NC it is hard to see snow; below is a map based on many things. The map below shows the best chance of seeing snow fall from the sky, not accumulating; we will talk about that tomorrow. This map is based on the ensembles (many different solutions variations of the same model) and short-range models. Right now, the favored locations to see snow falling from the sky will be Raleigh and points east. The trend today has been north and west, so Durham west, we will watch it closely.


Here’s a look at the solutions that all the models agree with. Solution 1 “snow lovers want this” the low-pressure system develops and rides very close to the coast, this would spread moisture inland, and we could see some or a rain/snow mix. Another question to this solution is how much cold air we see. Solution 2, the low-pressure system develops and pushes away from the coast and only along the i95 corridor would see some winter weather.



WHICH SOLUTION: The favored solution would be along solution 1 bring some impacts to the state. However, the models remain fluid, and I’m not convinced yet. Another thing involved in the forecast is how the energy impacts our western mountains. Again, all of this is very fluid and not set in stone. I would give it a 50/50 chance.


AMOUNTS: I know the real answer everyone wants to know is how much snow/ ice will come down. Be patient here, with it being 4+ days away and major different solutions among models. I can't simply sit here and competently put out a snowfall map, while other news stations and pages are that's just throwing a bunch of numbers on a map and calling it a day essentially.


FORECAST TIMING:

Here’s a guideline of our forecast:

Today- make or break day

Tuesday PM- First Call Snowfall map?

Wednesday Second or maybe third call, everyone panics lol

Thursday - Final call Thursday Night- Event begins..


DON’T PANIC: Despite some of the other pages calling out major impacts and notices to prepare now, we are not looking that in fact, only about 15% or less of that happening right now. Please stay with trusted sources over the next few pages; people who make you pay for the forecasts are desperate for “clicks.”

 
 
 

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