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

WINTER STORM WARNING ISSUED FOR THE MOUNTAINS FIRST SIGNIFICANT SNOW EXPECTED

ncwxauthority

Dec 1, 2019

2 min read

The first significant accumulating snowfall of the year is expected for parts of the mountains, which will cause dangerous travel tonight into early Tuesday, a Winter Storm Warning has been posted. A robust cold front will pass through the state today, leaving behind a strong northwest snow event for the North Carolina Mountains. Temperatures will be hovering just near to slightly below freezing, this will lead to accumulating snow from tonight to late Monday night. Wind blowing snow expected due to high wind gusts.

Accumulation: 1-2 to 2-4 inches expected for anyone below 3,500ft to about 2,000ft a dusting possible for some of the valleys (Asheville) The big winners for snow are above 3,500ft into the Smokies and along the North Carolina Tennesse border 2-4inches to 6-12" like along the highest peaks, for example, the Smokies mountains, Mount Mitchell the western facing ski resorts and Blue Ridge Parkways. A few ridgetop locations will exceed 12 inches, especially in the Smokies. Snowfall amounts are highly dependent on elevation, the higher you are the better. The lower you are in the valleys little to no amounts. Winter Storm Warning issued for the entire mountains Ashe-Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Haywood-Graham-Buncombe- (Above 3,500ft) Swain-Watauga County until 7AM Tuesday, this means severe impacts to travel expected.

Here's a breakdown of expected snowfall amounts, as you can see it is highly location-dependent.

IMPACTS: Travel will become hazardous to impossible across a good portion of the highest elevations of the mountains. The Hazardous conditions could impact both the morning and evening commutes on Monday. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and produce scattered power outages. Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel...have a winter survival kit with you.

Stay tuned to North Carolina's Weather Authority for updates throughout the storm.