Keeping You Safe Before, During & After The Storm!
NWS: Periods of Heavy Rain Continues Overnight With Ongoing Flash Flood Threat.
Heavy rains threaten the eastern slopes of the southern Appalachians, with South Carolina Upstate, western North Carolina, and southwest Virginia at risk. Storms, fueled by moist air and upslope winds, have already brought significant rainfall and are expected to intensify further.
Tornado Threat Expanded Across All of Western North Carolina Today. Ensure Wireless Emergeny Alerts Are Enabled on Cell Phones
The severe weather threat has increased across our area this afternoon and evening. The Storm Prediction Center has expanded the tornado risk to include all of western North Carolina, the northern South Carolina Upstate, and extreme northeast Georgia. Damaging winds and large hail remain the primary threats, but the environment will also support an isolated…
Severe Thunderstorm Threat Increasing Tuesday Afternoon Across the Foothills and Western North Carolina
Severe weather is on the horizon for Tuesday! Thunderstorms with damaging winds and hail are expected, so take precautions and stay indoors.
Weather Patterns Remains Active: Next Severe Weather Risk Arrives Tuesday.
A cold front is approaching the Carolinas, bringing a more active weather pattern to the region. Temperatures will climb into the lower and middle 90s, with high humidity fueling the development of thunderstorms. While widespread severe weather is not expected, much of western North Carolina is under a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for…
Morning Weather Update: Flash Flood Risk Continues Through Today
Prepare for Rain and Flooding: Stay Informed and Safe as the Front Moves Through the Region
Much-Needed Rain Comes With a Catch: Flash Flood Risk Through Friday
A slow-moving cold front is expected to bring heavy showers and thunderstorms to western North Carolina over the next 36 hours, potentially leading to flash flooding.
Increasing Concern for Heavy Rain and Flash Flooding Late Wednesday into Thursday
Wednesday marks the beginning of a more active weather pattern, with showers and thunderstorms becoming widespread during the afternoon and evening, especially across the mountains and foothills.
Flash Flood Threat Continues This Morning Across the Foothills and Mountains
If you’ve looked outside this morning, you’ve probably noticed the steady rain and slow-moving downpours. Additionally, streams and creeks are swollen from overnight heavy rainfall. Currently, the flood advisories have expired across the majority of the foothills. The one exception is Surry and Wilkes County, where a Flash Flood Warning is ongoing. Unfortunately, the weather…
Flash Flood Threat Increasing Overnight Across the Foothills and Piedmont
Stay alert as flash flooding threatens the Blue Ridge region tonight. Slow-moving storms will bring heavy rainfall and potential road closures. Areas from Burke to Rutherford should monitor weather closely.
NWS Mesoscale Discussion: Flash Flooding Likely This Afternoon As Rain Expands
A slow-moving weather system is causing repeated showers and thunderstorms, leading to potential flash flooding. Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are common, with some areas receiving over 2 inches in a single hour.
Stormy Pattern Continues: Severe Weather and Flash Flooding Remain a Concern
The Foothills and Piedmont are at risk of severe weather this afternoon and evening, with damaging straight-line winds and torrential rainfall. Tropical-level moisture and increased wind shear will enhance rainfall rates, leading to localized flash flooding. Residents should remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
Stormy Pattern Continues: Damaging Wind Threat Today, Flooding Risk Increases Early Next Week
If you’ve been hoping for a break from the daily thunderstorms, you’re going to have to wait a little longer. The atmosphere will remain active through at least Monday, bringing daily opportunities for strong to severe thunderstorms along with an increasing threat for localized flash flooding. The good news is that the heat we’ve been…
Friday Brings a Better Chance for Strong Storms Across the Foothills. A Weekend Outlook
As the weekend approaches, the atmosphere is becoming more favorable for stronger storms. Be prepared for damaging winds, frequent lightning, torrential rainfall, and small hail. Stay informed and take precautions.
The Heat Isn’t Done Yet: Holiday Weekend Forecast for the Foothills
Here’s the scoop on the scorching heat gripping the Foothills this Independence Day weekend. Temperatures are climbing into the 90s, with humidity making it feel like 100-105 degrees. Stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade, and check on vulnerable neighbors. This intense heat won’t last forever, but we’ll still be in for some warm days…
Dangerous Heat Peaks Heading Into the Holiday Weekend. A Few Severe Storms Possible
Attention Carolinians! This summer’s heat wave is on the way, with temperatures expected to reach the upper 90s. Stay hydrated, stay cool, and stay safe. Remember to check on elderly family members and neighbors who may not have adequate cooling.
Heat Builds This Week, But a Historic Heat Wave Is Looking Less Likely
The Foothills are bracing for an intense heat wave this week as a strong high-pressure ridge sweeps in, with temperatures climbing into the upper 90s. While the forecast suggests lower humidity, it’s still crucial to take precautions like staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, and never leaving pets…
Dangerous Heat Building This Week as Storm Chances Shift Back to the Mountains
Prepare for a scorching heat wave as temperatures soar into the mid-90s and potentially hit 100 degrees.
Tropics Begin to Wake Up Off the Southeast Coast
After a quiet start to the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, the tropics are finally showing signs of life just off the Southeast coast. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms located near the North Carolina coast. While this is not currently a tropical cyclone, we expect a broad area…
Saturday’s Severe Thunderstorms Leave Trail of Wind Damage Across Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and Alexander Counties.
Yesterday morning, we highlighted the potential for damaging thunderstorms across the Foothills, and unfortunately, the atmosphere delivered. By around 2:15 PM, thunderstorms began developing over the mountains ahead of a mid-level disturbance moving east across western North Carolina. Initially, these were individual cells, but they quickly intensified as they encountered an increasingly unstable atmosphere. Around…
Dangerous Heat and Humidity Build. Isolated Severe Weather Sunday.
Good Saturday evening! If you’ve stepped outside today, you’ve probably noticed one thing…it’s turned downright summer-like. The heat and humidity have settled in, and that pattern isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. We’ll continue dealing with hot afternoons, muggy nights, and the daily chance for showers and thunderstorms through the rest of the weekend and into…
Severe Thunderstorms Possible Today; MCS Setup Over Next Few Days Under Ring of Fire.
Today is shaping up to be another active weather day across the Foothills and western North Carolina, with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing through the afternoon and evening. While not everyone will see severe weather, a few storms could become strong enough to produce damaging wind gusts, especially between 2 PM and midnight. Some locations…
Dangerous heat expected across the Carolinas for 4th of July Week
Good Saturday morning…by the time you are likely reading this. The major weather story developing is the anticipated heat wave that will develop across the Eastern US next week. A sprawling area of high pressure will settle in and be quite strong. Temperatures in the lower 90’s this weekend will become mid-and-upper 90’s by mid…
Showers and Storms Return: Derecho for Western NC Saturday?
Stay updated on the weather forecast for the foothills of western North Carolina. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms starting Friday afternoon, with the potential for stronger storms on Saturday. Stay dry and prepared for the hot, muggy weather ahead.
Why Stage 2 Water Restrictions Are Still in Place — Even With Full Lakes
If you’ve looked out over Lake James or other parts of the Catawba River Basin lately, you might be scratching your head a bit.Water levels look normal. In some spots, they even look great. So why are Stage 2 water restrictions still in place? It’s a fair question — and one a lot of people…
Continued Rain Probabilities, Minimal Severe Storm Risk, and Uncertain Weekend Forecast
Monday began with widespread cloud cover, particularly persistent near the Blue Ridge. By mid-afternoon, most regions experienced a return to sunshine. The early portion of the next two days is expected to be active meteorologically. A low-pressure system over the Great Lakes will move a trailing cold front across the region early Tuesday. Widespread rainfall…
Drying Out Again Today; Better Chances of Rain This Week. Burn Ban Remains In Place
Good Sunday Afternoon. Happy late April on this gorgeous Sunday Afternoon. Some rain finally graced our area yesterday and most everyone received at least some rain. The problem is that the widespread totals above .25 of an inch were limited. This is a complex fire danger day. Most areas did not receive enough rainfall to…
FOOTHILLS WEATHER NETWORK – SATURDAY AFTERNOON WEATHER BRIEFING
Western North Carolina Foothills, Mountains, and Western Piedmont KEY MESSAGES TODAY (SATURDAY): HOT, BREEZY, AND DRY We’re seeing another summer-like day across the foothills and Piedmont. Afternoon highs will climb into the upper 80s to near 90 degrees east of the mountains. Southwest winds will pick up through the day, adding a breeze but also…
Slight Rain Chances Added To Forecast, but Drought and Wildfire Danger Continue to Increase.
Good Friday Afternoon to everyone across the Foothills of Western NC. It is another dry and hot day out there. The grass crunches under your feet like it is late July, and it is only mid-April. Some good news is that we are seeing a very slow evolution in the global weather pattern. I am…
Dry Cold Front Passes. Frosty Nights and Wildfire Danger
North Carolina’s weather may look quiet right now, but don’t let that fool you — we are slipping deeper into a growing problem across the foothills and beyond. High pressure has taken control over the Southeast, and it’s not budging. This is one of those setups where the air is slowly sinking from above, acting…
FWN/Burke Weather Inc. 2026 Storm Chase Raffle
It’s that time of the year! Foothills Weather Network plans to send a team out to the Plains in Mid-May for the annual storm chase. This event allows our team to learn more about severe weather, how it forms and the impacts to society. What we learn from this yearly venture goes back to help…
Severe Weather Risks Increase This Afternoon; Peaks Monday Morning Across Foothills
An increasingly dynamic and potentially impactful weather pattern is unfolding across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic as we move through Sunday and into Monday, with conditions becoming favorable for a widespread severe weather event across portions of the Carolinas and surrounding states. The setup is being driven by a powerful upper-level shortwave trough that is amplifying…
Cold Front Poses Significant Severe Weather Risk Across Carolinas/Virginia
Spring storm system forming across the eastern U.S., bringing severe thunderstorms to the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Dynamic upper-level winds and a strengthening low pressure system will fuel organized storms.
Saturday Weather Discussion: Scattered Storms Could Produce Isolated Severe Wind Gusts This Afternoon
Saturday March 7th, 2026 Severe Weather Risk Today: Marginal (Main Risk: Damaging Winds) Detailed Meteorological Discussion A spring-like weather pattern continues to evolve across the southern Appalachians, with western North Carolina positioned within a warm, increasingly moist southwest flow regime ahead of a slow-moving frontal boundary approaching from the west. The broader synoptic pattern features…
Isolated Shower and Storm Chances This Weekend, but Warm!
(Technical Forecast First and the layman’s term forecast is below it) Synoptic Overview The large-scale pattern across North America remains characterized by an amplified upper-level trough across the western United States with downstream ridging across the eastern half of the country. This configuration supports a broad southwest flow regime across much of the central and…
Happy Meteorological Spring. Warm Today but Cold Weather To Start Work Week.
Good warm Sunday Afternoon to everyone. Welcome to Meteorological Spring. For climate purposes, today is actually the first day of Spring, even though we are still about 19-20 days away from the Spring Solstice. March has arrived like a lamb, but it will show some attitude tomorrow, just showing how much of a roller coaster…
Light Rain, Snow, Mix To Taunt The Area Once More
A cold front will settle through the area tonight bringing scattered rain showers across the foothills. Precipitation totals will be very light. That cold front will settle to our south and stall. Low pressure will move along the frontal boundary, likely across SC, Wednesday Evening and Wednesday Night. Light moisture will spread north across the…
Foothills Weather Blog: Cold Mornings, Clouds, and a Midweek Change
As we head through the middle of the week across the Western North Carolina Foothills, the weather pattern remains active but low impact overall. While we are not looking at a major winter event, there are still a few things to watch, especially with cold mornings and a weak system midweek. Tuesday: Mostly Cloudy and…
Winter Storm Updates 1.30.26. All Updates Will be posted in This Blog
Follow this page for updates on our winter storm in between our live updates. Next Live Update: 9:00 am via Facebook, YouTube, Website As of 7:00am: Winter storm underway across North Carolina. Travel is snarled in most areas, especially those where ice from last weekend had not melted yet. A low pressure has developed at…
Weekend Snow Chances Increase For Some While Flies Remain in the Forecast for Others.
Sponsored by Wendy B’s Embroidery & Screen Printing As of 11:00 am Thursday, we continue to monitor our winter storm that is expected to impact the area this weekend. Significant amounts of snow are possible, which could cause mainly travel and visibility issues. Upper-level energy will dive south tomorrow (Friday) from Canada into the Ohio…
Winter Weather Briefing (1/28/26, 10 pm): Winter Storm expected for Foothills/Western Piedmont
Good Wednesday evening, Winter Weather updates are sponsored by Wendy B’s Embroidery & Screen Printing We have issued a first-call snow forecast for this winter storm that is expected to begin Friday night and intensify into Saturday before departing late in the day. We will update this again on Thursday. Due to our increased confidence…
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