National Weather ServiceNorth CarolinaExtreme Heat WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Extreme Heat Warnings in North Carolina
The National Weather Service issued 10 extreme heat warnings for North Carolina in 2025 and 4 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 21st most of any state. 2026 through September: 11, 164% above the average of 4 for those months in 2008-2025. Perquimans was covered most often (18 times since 2008).
How many extreme heat warnings does North Carolina get?
Every extreme heat warning that covered part of North Carolina. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 11 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does North Carolina get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in North Carolina?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perquimans | 18 | 10 | July 3, 2026 |
| Pasquotank | 18 | 10 | July 3, 2026 |
| Johnston | 18 | 6 | July 26, 2025 |
| Inland Pender | 18 | 9 | August 18, 2026 |
| Inland New Hanover | 18 | 9 | August 18, 2026 |
| Inland Brunswick | 18 | 9 | August 18, 2026 |
| Harnett | 18 | 6 | July 26, 2025 |
| Chowan | 18 | 10 | July 3, 2026 |
| Camden | 18 | 10 | July 3, 2026 |
| Western Currituck | 17 | 9 | July 3, 2026 |
| Gates | 17 | 9 | July 3, 2026 |
| Cumberland | 17 | 5 | July 26, 2025 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest extreme heat warnings for North Carolina in AreaZine's record
NWS Newport/Morehead CityWarningAugust 17, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning: Duplin, Pamlico, Southern Craven and 4 more, NC
Expired 8:00 p.m. EDT, August 18, 2026
NWS WilmingtonWarningAugust 17, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning: Columbus, Inland Pender, Coastal Pender and 10 more, NC and SC
Expired 8:00 p.m. EDT, August 18, 2026
NWS WilmingtonWarningAugust 17, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning: Bladen, Columbus, Inland Pender and 13 more, NC and SC
Expired 8:00 p.m. EDT, August 17, 2026
NWS Newport/Morehead CityWarningAugust 17, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning: Duplin, Jones, Pamlico and 6 more, NC
Expired 8:00 p.m. EDT, August 17, 2026
NWS WilmingtonWarningJuly 10, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning: Inland Pender, Coastal Pender, Inland New Hanover and 7 more, NC and SC
Expired 8:00 p.m. EDT, July 10, 2026
NWS WilmingtonWarningJuly 9, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning: Inland Pender, Coastal Pender, Inland New Hanover and 7 more, NC and SC
Expired 8:00 p.m. EDT, July 9, 2026
NWS WilmingtonWarningJuly 8, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning: Bladen, Columbus, Inland Pender and 11 more, NC and SC
Expired 8:00 p.m. EDT, July 8, 2026
NWS BlacksburgWarningJuly 3, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning: Stokes, Bedford and Amherst, NC and VA
Expired 8:00 p.m. EDT, July 4, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is an extreme heat warning?
An extreme heat warning means dangerous heat is expected, measured by heat index or temperature thresholds each office sets. It replaced the excessive heat warning in 2025. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. AreaZine's counts include the excessive heat warnings issued before the change. The national record · Every warning type in North Carolina.