Foothills Weather Network
Date: March 14, 2025
Overview
The Foothills of Western North Carolina are in for an active weather weekend. While temperatures stay well above average, our main concern is a potent storm system moving through late Saturday into Sunday. This system is expected to bring strong to severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, possible tornadoes (a possible strong tornado threat), and heavy rainfall.
Friday Night (Tonight)
• Conditions remain mostly quiet tonight, but you’ll notice some high clouds moving through. Hazy conditions persist with smoke stretched through the area
• Temperatures will stay mild, well above normal for this time of year. Most areas only drop back to the upper 50’s tonight.
• A few isolated showers may develop late, especially near the mountains as upslope flow kicks in ahead of the front.
Saturday: Increasing Storm Threat
Key Points:
• Temperatures will soar, running about 10-15 degrees above normal. We should see highs top out in the low to mid 70’s
• Winds will increase out of the southwest during the day, gusting up to 25-35 mph east of the mountains and 35-50 mph in the mountains by night. Higher elevations could see gusts up to 55 mph.
• Scattered showers and thunderstorms will begin developing in the afternoon, especially over the mountains as upslope flow dramatically increases.
While storms in the afternoon are possible, the main event arrives Saturday night.
Saturday Night into Sunday Morning: Main Severe Weather Event
This is when the strongest storms are expected.
What to Expect:
1. Damaging Winds: Gusts could reach or exceed 50-70 mph, especially with stronger storms. Areas in the mountains and adjacent foothills in Burke, Caldwell, McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford Counties have the highest risk for strong winds.
2. Tornado Risk: There’s a 2-5% chance of tornadoes across the region, with slightly higher risks towards the western areas. Stay weather-aware! One or two tornadoes could be strong and violent. The highest risk for strong and violent tornadoes will be southwest of Asheville though.
3. Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals could reach 2-3 inches in the southwest NC mountains with lesser amounts eastward. Localized flooding is possible in typical trouble spots.
4. Hail: The threat for large hail is lower but still present in the strongest storms.
Severe Weather Arrival Timeline:
Safety Tips:
• Have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially if you’re sleeping when storms arrive. Keep your NOAA weather radio on and your phone charged with alerts enabled. Download the Foothills Weather App that is free in your App Store. Then add another trusted source for severe weather alerts too. Remember EAS wireless emergency alerts are only issued for the worst severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Make sure those are active on your cell phones.
• If a warning is issued, take shelter in an interior room away from windows, preferably on the lowest level of your home.
• Bring in or secure outdoor items that could become projectiles.
Sunday: Storms Continue Then Clearing
• Severe weather will risks linger into Sunday afternoon, especially east of the mountains. The storms could regenerate along the Highway 18 / US 64 Corridor around 1pm and then race east. All severe weather types will remain available.
• The storms will gradually move out by Sunday evening, bringing an end to the severe weather threat.
• Behind the front, cooler air will filter in with winds shifting from the northwest.
Monday through Midweek: A Calm Break
• Cooler and dry conditions return Monday, though it will still be slightly warmer than normal.
• By Tuesday and Wednesday, temperatures will rise again into the 70s under dry skies.
• Another cold front could bring more rain by Thursday.
Final Thoughts
This is a serious storm system, and while not everyone will see severe weather, the potential for dangerous conditions is there, especially Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Now is the time to prepare:
• Charge your devices.
• Secure loose outdoor items.
• Review your severe weather safety plan.
Stay weather aware, and we’ll keep you updated with the latest information!
Foothills Weather Network
“With you before, during, and after the storm.”