National Weather ServiceNorth CarolinaFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in North Carolina
The National Weather Service issued 9 fire weather watches for North Carolina in 2025 and 5 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 26th most of any state. 2026 through September: 1, 77% below the average of 4 for those months in 2008-2025. Alamance was covered most often (17 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does North Carolina get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of North Carolina. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 1 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2008 | 9 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamance | 17 | 2 | November 16, 2025 |
| Forsyth | 17 | 2 | November 16, 2025 |
| Guilford | 17 | 2 | November 16, 2025 |
| Person | 17 | 2 | November 16, 2025 |
| Davidson | 16 | 1 | March 1, 2025 |
| Durham | 16 | 2 | November 16, 2025 |
| Franklin | 16 | 2 | November 16, 2025 |
| Granville | 16 | 2 | November 16, 2025 |
| Orange | 16 | 2 | November 16, 2025 |
| Randolph | 16 | 1 | March 1, 2025 |
| Stanly | 16 | 1 | March 1, 2025 |
| Vance | 16 | 2 | November 16, 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.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in North Carolina.