National Weather ServiceNorth CarolinaSevere Thunderstorm WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Carolina
The National Weather Service issued 682 severe thunderstorm warnings for North Carolina in 2025 and 734 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 12th most of any state. 2026 through September: 821, 15% above the average of 715 for those months in 2008-2025. Wake was covered most often (877 times since 2008).
How many severe thunderstorm warnings does North Carolina get?
Every severe thunderstorm warning that covered part of North Carolina. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 821 |
| 2025 | 682 |
| 2024 | 641 |
| 2023 | 762 |
| 2022 | 752 |
| 2021 | 425 |
| 2020 | 514 |
| 2019 | 710 |
| 2018 | 608 |
| 2017 | 561 |
| 2016 | 700 |
| 2015 | 532 |
| 2014 | 636 |
| 2013 | 501 |
| 2012 | 1,059 |
| 2011 | 1,254 |
| 2010 | 766 |
| 2009 | 904 |
| 2008 | 1,204 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake | 877 | 213 | September 21, 2026 |
| Johnston | 743 | 192 | September 18, 2026 |
| Mecklenburg | 632 | 116 | August 28, 2026 |
| Rutherford | 627 | 123 | September 6, 2026 |
| Chatham | 602 | 152 | September 21, 2026 |
| Harnett | 601 | 140 | September 18, 2026 |
| Iredell | 583 | 113 | September 21, 2026 |
| Randolph | 569 | 129 | September 21, 2026 |
| Franklin | 546 | 135 | September 5, 2026 |
| Surry | 542 | 105 | September 21, 2026 |
| Burke | 541 | 96 | September 21, 2026 |
| Moore | 535 | 145 | September 18, 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.
The latest severe thunderstorm warnings for North Carolina in AreaZine's record
NWS BlacksburgWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Caswell, Rockingham, Halifax and 2 more, NC and VA
Expired 7:15 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS RaleighWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Chatham and Wake, NC
Expired 6:45 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS Greenville-SpartanburgWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: McDowell, NC
Expired 6:00 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS BlacksburgWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Caswell, Rockingham, Halifax and 3 more, NC and VA
Expired 6:15 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS BlacksburgWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Rockingham, Stokes, Franklin and 4 more, NC and VA
Expired 5:15 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS BlacksburgWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Stokes, Surry and Yadkin, NC
Expired 4:45 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS Greenville-SpartanburgWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Avery, McDowell and Mitchell, NC
Expired 4:15 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS Greenville-SpartanburgWarningSeptember 18, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Swain, NC
Expired 9:00 p.m. EDT, September 18, 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 a severe thunderstorm warning?
A severe thunderstorm warning means a storm is producing, or is about to produce, hail one inch across or larger and/or winds of 58 mph or more. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in North Carolina.