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National Weather ServiceNorth CarolinaSevere Thunderstorm WatchArchive to October 1, 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Watches in North Carolina

The National Weather Service issued 23 severe thunderstorm watches for North Carolina in 2025 and 22 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 28th most of any state. 2026 through September: 23, 7% above the average of 22 for those months in 2008-2025. Edgecombe was covered most often (149 times since 2008).

How many severe thunderstorm watches does North Carolina get?

23 severe thunderstorm watches for North Carolina in 2025
2040602008: 3620082009: 3620092010: 2420102011: 5120112012: 3520122013: 820132014: 1820142015: 1820152016: 1620162017: 1520172018: 920182019: 2220192020: 1120202021: 1420212022: 1520222023: 2820232024: 1720242025: 2320252026: 2320262008-2025 average 222026 through September: 232040602008: 3620082009: 362010: 2420102011: 512012: 3520122013: 82014: 1820142015: 182016: 1620162017: 152018: 920182019: 222020: 1120202021: 142022: 1520222023: 282024: 1720242025: 232026: 2320262008-2025 average 222026 through September: 232040602008: 3620082009: 362010: 2420102011: 512012: 3520122013: 82014: 1820142015: 182016: 1620162017: 152018: 920182019: 222020: 1120202021: 142022: 1520222023: 282024: 1720242025: 232026: 2320262008-2025 average 222026 through September: 232040602008: 3620082009: 362010: 242011: 512012: 352013: 82014: 182015: 1820152016: 162017: 152018: 92019: 222020: 1120202021: 142022: 152023: 282024: 172025: 232026: 2320262008-2025 average 222026 through September: 23

Every severe thunderstorm watch that covered part of North Carolina. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.

The numbers
YearCount
2026 (through September)23
202523
202417
202328
202215
202114
202011
201922
20189
201715
201616
201518
201418
20138
201235
201151
201024
200936
200836

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?

North Carolina's severe thunderstorm watches by month, 2008-2025
50100Jan: 6JanFeb: 7FebMar: 20MarApr: 42AprMay: 90MayJun: 92JunJul: 83JulAug: 41AugSep: 7SepOct: 5OctNov: 1NovDec: 2Dec9250100Jan: 6JanFeb: 7FebMar: 20MarApr: 42AprMay: 90MayJun: 92JunJul: 83JulAug: 41AugSep: 7SepOct: 5OctNov: 1NovDec: 2Dec9250100Jan: 6JanFeb: 7FebMar: 20MarApr: 42AprMay: 90MayJun: 92JunJul: 83JulAug: 41AugSep: 7SepOct: 5OctNov: 1NovDec: 2Dec9250100Jan: 6JFeb: 7FMar: 20MApr: 42AMay: 90MJun: 92JJul: 83JAug: 41ASep: 7SOct: 5ONov: 1NDec: 2D92

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 zoneSince 2008Since 2023Last issued
Edgecombe14929September 5, 2026
Wilson14928September 5, 2026
Johnston14630September 5, 2026
Nash14630September 5, 2026
Wake14029September 5, 2026
Franklin13930September 5, 2026
Harnett13929September 5, 2026
Wayne13927September 5, 2026
Sampson13828September 5, 2026
Cumberland13527September 5, 2026
Halifax13530September 5, 2026
Moore13126September 5, 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 severe thunderstorm watch?

Severe thunderstorm watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when storms with large hail or damaging winds are possible over a large area for several hours. 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.