National Weather ServiceNorth CarolinaTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in North Carolina
The National Weather Service issued 8 tornado watches for North Carolina in 2025 and 18 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 15th most of any state. 2026 through September: 4, 73% below the average of 15 for those months in 2008-2025. Beaufort was covered most often (94 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does North Carolina get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of North Carolina. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 4 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2014 | 22 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2011 | 38 |
| 2010 | 24 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2008 | 33 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort | 94 | 14 | March 16, 2026 |
| Craven | 94 | 15 | March 16, 2026 |
| Duplin | 94 | 15 | March 16, 2026 |
| Jones | 94 | 15 | March 16, 2026 |
| Onslow | 94 | 16 | March 16, 2026 |
| Carteret | 93 | 16 | March 16, 2026 |
| Lenoir | 92 | 14 | March 16, 2026 |
| Northampton | 92 | 12 | March 16, 2026 |
| Sampson | 92 | 12 | March 16, 2026 |
| Pamlico | 91 | 14 | March 16, 2026 |
| Edgecombe | 90 | 13 | March 16, 2026 |
| Halifax | 90 | 13 | March 16, 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 tornado watch?
Tornado watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when thunderstorms able to produce tornadoes are possible over a large area, usually for several hours; local offices list the counties it covers. 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.