Early snow, possible frost & a chance of tropical storms. This NC forecast has it all
In an unusual clash of seasons, the North Carolina mountains are dealing with an early snowfall and frost warnings while forecasters also are watching two systems offshore for potential tropical storm development.
Along the North Carolina-Tennessee border, some elevations above 3,500 feet saw up to 2 inches of snowfall Tuesday into early Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. The snow accompanied a cold front that swept across the state, bringing scattered showers, cool breezes and chilly temperatures.
Is this normal weather for North Carolina?
No.
The National Weather Service’s Wilmington office noted the unseasonable temperatures in a Facebook post Wednesday, Oct. 16 that showed highs in the low 60s across the region. Above the map, a forecaster had added, “Highs Wed near normal…for mid-December!”
As for the mountains, meteorologists say it’s common to see snow in mid-October for elevations above 5,000 feet, such as Mount Mitchell and Beech Mountain. But it’s rare for measurable snow to fall at lower elevations in the state before the end of October.
High temperatures Wednesday in the mountains were in the mid-40s to low 50s.
What parts of the state are under a frost advisory?
Much of the western half of North Carolina is under a frost advisory Thursday night, Oct. 17, and the National Weather Service said counties in the central part of the state could see patchy frost Thursday night.
In Raleigh, the low Thursday night is expected to be around 40 degrees.
Is there a tropical storm coming to NC?
The National Hurricane Center is watching two disturbances in the Atlantic:
▪ One is an area of low pressure that continues to produce showers and thunderstorms in an area east of the Leeward Islands. The system became less defined late Tuesday, Oct. 15 and Wednesday, Oct 16. It’s expected to move generally to the west or northwest, with some gradual development possible by Friday.
Forecasters on Thursday gave the system just a 30% chance of developing into a tropical depression over the next week.
▪ A second low-pressure system has been creating showers and thunderstorms in the southwestern Caribbean. Forecasters said Thursday that system has about a 20% chance of developing into a tropical depression over the next week.
Some gradual development is possible if it stays over water for many days, forecasters said. Either way, it’s likely to produce over portions of Central America and southern Mexico through the weekend, the Hurricane Center said.
There have been 13 named storms in the Atlantic so far this year, plus one system that behaved like a tropical storm but didn’t get a name. If another tropical storm develops, it would be called Nadine.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season lasts through Saturday, Nov. 30.
This story was originally published October 16, 2024 at 2:55 PM.
