National Weather ServiceNorth CarolinaHigh Wind WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
High Wind Watches in North Carolina
The National Weather Service issued 4 high wind watches for North Carolina in 2025 and 6 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 26th most of any state. 2026 through September: 3, 24% below the average of 4 for those months in 2008-2025. Ashe was covered most often (34 times since 2008).
How many high wind watches does North Carolina get?
Every high wind watch that covered part of North Carolina. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2008 | 11 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashe | 34 | 5 | February 7, 2026 |
| Watauga | 34 | 5 | February 7, 2026 |
| Alleghany | 30 | 5 | February 7, 2026 |
| Avery | 27 | 5 | February 7, 2026 |
| Yancey | 27 | 5 | February 7, 2026 |
| Mitchell | 26 | 4 | February 7, 2026 |
| Burke Mountains | 22 | 3 | February 7, 2026 |
| Caldwell Mountains | 22 | 3 | February 7, 2026 |
| McDowell Mountains | 22 | 3 | February 7, 2026 |
| Henderson | 18 | 2 | February 7, 2026 |
| Buncombe | 17 | 3 | February 7, 2026 |
| Rutherford Mountains | 17 | 2 | February 7, 2026 |
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 high wind watch?
A high wind watch means winds reaching high wind warning values are possible. 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.