NC State Climate Office

For the first time since last November, much of western North Carolina is UNCLASSIFIED on the latest drought map thanks to ongoing improvements after Isaias. In the northeast, drought has slightly expanded amid dry and windy weather so far in October. #ncwx

The rain from Isaias has led to an initial round of drought improvements from the southern Mountains through the Triad, with more changes likely next week once the moisture has soaked in and its lasting impacts are more apparent. #ncwx

After the latest damage surveys by NWS Raleigh, we're now up to 13 confirmed tornadoes in North Carolina on Sunday. That's the most tornadoes in the state in a single day since Hurricane Isaias — the previous one, on August 3, 2020. #ncwx

The remnants of Hurricane Isaias affected North Carolina last weekend, bringing heavy rain and high winds in the west and severe weather farther east. #ncwx Our latest blog post has more on this storm and its wide-reaching impacts across the state. 📰: climate.ncsu.edu/blog/2026/10...

Some locally heavy showers in eastern North Carolina last weekend brought a bit of drought improvement, but elsewhere, conditions are largely unchanged after a cooler but drier fall week. #ncwx

Thanks to three weeks of heat early in the month, this September was one of the top five warmest on record in North Carolina. #ncwx Our latest climate summary has more on the heat, drought, and tropical activity over the past month.

Last week's rain helped chip away at drought conditions in the west, while eastern areas saw more degradation as the weekend Nor'easter brought limited rainfall. #ncwx

More heat last week helped drought continue to expand, especially in parts of eastern North Carolina. #ncwx Note that the rain received since Tuesday will be factored into next week's assessment.

Global vital signs show a strengthening El Niño, and the prognosis for North Carolina looks wet in the months ahead. Our latest blog post checks up on El Niño and previews its potential local impacts, which may begin this fall. #ncwx

As summer weather stretches into September, we've seen more drought degradations this week, including the return of Severe Drought (D2) in Wake County. #ncwx

After a hot week with spotty rainfall, we've seen minor drought improvements in some eastern areas, but a few degradations farther west. #ncwx

Another dry week for our northern-tier counties has led to more drought degradation, including the expansion of Severe (D2) and Extreme Drought (D3) in the northern Coastal Plain, and the return of Exceptional Drought (D4) in northern Guilford County. #ncwx

Summer stayed strong in August, with ongoing heat and hit-or-miss showers and storms. Our latest climate summary has more on last month, plus this summer's stats across the state. #ncwx

On this day 15 years ago, Hurricane Irene hit eastern North Carolina and reshaped part of the coastline. Our latest blog post looks at Irene's impacts, how it still affects travel on the Outer Banks, and how @ncdot.bsky.social is planning for the future. #ncwx 📰: climate.ncsu.edu/blog/2026/08...

Drought improvements continued this week in the southern Coastal Plain, while areas along the Virginia border remain dry with Extreme Drought (D3) expanding. #ncwx

A wet week in western NC has brought more drought improvements, while it was hot and dry in the east, leading to a few drought degradations. #ncwx

Five years ago today, heavy rain from Tropical Storm Fred led to historic flooding in Haywood County, NC. With perspectives from NWS GSP, Haywood County Emergency Management, and the Southwestern Commission, we’re remembering Fred's impacts and the county's rocky road to recovery. #FredAfterFive

After another week of locally heavy rains, areas including Charlotte, Hickory, and Morganton are officially out of drought and back to the Abnormally Dry (D0) level as impacts continue to ease in parts of the state. #ncwx

The past week brought more showers and more improvements on the drought map, with areas of Severe (D2) and Extreme Drought (D3) continuing to shrink, and water supplies showing signs of recovery. #ncwx

July started with a heat dome and ended with a deluge and drought improvements across North Carolina. Read more about the past month in our July climate summary. #ncwx

It's the Extreme (Drought) Makeover we've been waiting for, with big reductions in D2 and D3 after last week's rain, especially in the central Piedmont. This map reflects long-term rainfall deficits and ongoing dryness in deeper soil moisture, groundwater, and lake levels. #ncwx

The rain has wrapped up, the totals have been tallied, and it's sinking in that this event is just what we needed to make a dent in the drought. #ncwx Check out the storm summary in our latest blog post: ➡️ climate.ncsu.edu/blog/2026/07...

Recent showers have finally lifted parts of the Piedmont out of Extreme (D3) and Exceptional (D4) Drought. Note that additional rain falling since yesterday will be considered in next week's assessment. #ncwx

Since the rain began yesterday afternoon, our #ECONet stations along the I-40 corridor in the Piedmont have recorded more than two inches, including a 4.7-inch total at the @ncatsuaggies.bsky.social University Farm in Greensboro. #ncwx

Last week's showers and storms made a dent in drought conditions in parts of the state. Many entrenched impacts remain, including low lake levels and ongoing wildfires, and those will take more rain to recover from. #ncwx

Welcome to our newest #ECONet station at Green River Game Land near the Henderson/Polk Co. line! Installed yesterday with help from NWS GSP and NC Wildlife, this station fills a key gap, especially for post-Helene wildfire monitoring. View its data here: products.climate.ncsu.edu/cardinal/sco...

After last week's heat, parts of the state have experienced drought degradation, while the Triangle area has seen some improvements from the more recent heavy rainfall. #ncwx

Last week, half of our office's 48 ECONet stations hit 100°F or greater. That included the first 100-degree days at our Morganton station since it was installed two years ago, and a sizzling holiday peak of 103°F in Durham on July 4. #ncwx

Heat and drought were near-constants this June across North Carolina. Our latest climate summary has more on last month's weather, plus a check-in on El Niño and the tropical Atlantic. #ncwx

After a wet end to June, coastal areas have improved to Moderate Drought (D1) this week. Elsewhere, most of the state broke even, as recent showers were offset by evaporative losses amid the building heat. #ncwx

This week saw enough rain to avoid further degradations, but improvements were also limited as widespread drought stress continues. #ncwx

With summer heat in full swing and scattered showers at best last week, we've seen an expansion of Extreme (D3) and Exceptional (D4) Drought as intense impacts continue to develop. #ncwx

Amid dry weather and warming temperatures this week, we've seen drought degradation in central and eastern North Carolina, including the emergence of Exceptional Drought (D4) in the northern Piedmont. #ncwx

It took all month, but May finally brought widespread rain that helped improve — but not remove — our ongoing drought. Our climate summary has more on a seasonable May, plus a check-in on the spring and year-to-date stats across North Carolina. #ncwx

As more moisture has soaked in and new showers popped up last week, we've seen additional improvements to Severe (D2) and Extreme Drought (D3) conditions across western NC. The northern tier remains extremely dry and in need of more rain. #ncwx

Last weekend's rainfall brought a round of widespread improvements on the latest drought map, including the removal of Exceptional Drought (D4) and a reduction in Extreme Drought (D3). #ncwx

With hurricane season on the horizon, we're taking a closer look at the current outlooks, including the tug of war between a warm Atlantic and an emerging El Niño, plus what's at stake for North Carolina. #ncwx

Heading outdoors for the holiday? 🏃‍♂️ Don't wait until you're thirsty to hydrate! Schedule workouts for cooler times of day and take frequent breaks in the shade. #HeatSafety

This week's hot, dry weather brought more expansion of Extreme Drought (D3) in the east and the emergence of Exceptional Drought (D4) in the northwest amid a record dry start to the year there. #ncwx

Be a good neighbor. 🏘️ Check on the elderly, those with underlying health conditions, and outdoor workers during periods of extreme heat. A quick check-in can prevent a heat-related crisis. Learn more about who’s most at risk: heat.gov/who-is-most-... #HeatSafety

Do you know the signs? Heat stroke is a medical emergency. 🚨 If you see confusion, slurred speech, or a temp above 103°F, call 911. #HeatSafety

👍The Good News: Exceptional Drought (D4) is gone after last week's heavy rain in the southern Piedmont. 👎The Bad News: Improvements elsewhere were hard to come by, and we've got a hot, dry week ahead. #ncwx

We're pleased to officially announce our new director and North Carolina's next state climatologist, Dr. Jared Bowden! Jared is a North Carolina native and NC State graduate who has more than 20 years of experience with climate research in the state. 📰: climate.ncsu.edu/blog/2026/05...

More widespread rainfall over the past week helped slow the expansion of drought, but we still saw a slight increase of Extreme Drought (D3) coverage in parts of northwestern and central North Carolina. #ncwx

Heat season is here! Join us next Monday, May 11 from 1 to 3 pm for North Carolina’s 2026 Heat Season Kickoff Meeting. Get a 2026 heat outlook from NWS and learn about tools and resources to support community readiness. ℹ️: www.deq.nc.gov/news/events/...

April finished as our 2️⃣nd warmest and 5️⃣th driest on record in North Carolina, and that combination led to intensifying drought and newly emerging impacts, as our monthly climate summary details. #ncwx

The current drought is bad, but 100 years ago, we had it even worse during the historic 1925-26 drought. #ncwx Our latest blog post tells the story of that event, including the changes it inspired in our state and takeaways for today.

Rain returned to parts of the state this week, but the Piedmont remained mostly dry and saw an expansion of Extreme Drought (D3) and the emergence of Exceptional Drought (D4) for the first time since March 4, 2008. #ncwx

As drought continues to degrade, it's now causing water restrictions, increased fire danger, and bone dry soils. For more on this drought's origins, intensity, and impacts, check out our latest blog post and summary from today's webinar. #ncwx

Extreme Drought (D3) continued to expand this week as streamflow levels bottomed out and water restrictions began to be implemented. #ncwx