Tropical Storm Humberto is expected to strengthen. Will it hit NC?
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- Tropical Storm Humberto expected to strengthen into hurricane by weekend.
- Forecast track keeps the storm’s center west of the Bahamas, but storm interactions add uncertainty.
- NC officials urge preparation as storm season continues through Nov. 30.
Update: Find the latest Humberto coverage here.
Tropical Storm Humberto is expected to strengthen in coming days, as another system in the Caribbean is likely to develop.
As of 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, the storm was about 470 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. It had maximum sustained winds around 60 mph and was moving northwest at 6 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm is expected to take a west-northwest to northwest motion over the next couple of days, with a slower forward speed.
However, meteorologists expect “significant strengthening” during the next several days. In its 5 p.m. update, the National Hurricane Center forecasted that the storm will become a hurricane Friday, Sept. 26 and a major hurricane this weekend.
Tropical Storm Humberto’s path
The track forecast for the storm is “more complicated” because of Humberto’s proximity to a tropical wave in the Caribbean, currently west of Humberto, according to the National Hurricane Center.
However, the current forecast’s track takes the center of the storm west of the Bahamas early next week. It does not show Humberto making direct landfall in North Carolina over the next several days.
The tropical wave has a high chance of forming over 48 hours and a higher chance of forming over seven days, as of Thursday morning.
An area of low pressure is expected to form along the tropical wave Thursday night or early Friday, Sept. 26, when it moves near the southeast Bahamas. Then the system is likely to become a tropical depression late Friday or over the weekend, when it is near the central and northwest Bahamas, the National Hurricane Center said in an update 2 p.m. Thursday.
The National Hurricane Center is encouraging the Southeast U.S. to monitor the progress of the system. The chances of wind, rainfall and storm surge impacts for part of the East Coast are increasing, even though there is uncertainty about the long-range track and intensity of the system, the center said Thursday afternoon.
The next named storm, which would be the ninth of the 2025 hurricane season, would be Imelda.
“As these systems develop, they could certainly interact, which will determine the eventual track and intensity and any impacts that come from these systems,” Michael Brennan, the National Hurricane Center director, said in a Sept. 24 update on the tropics.
How to prepare for hurricanes
Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30, so there is plenty of time for additional storms that could have a direct impact on North Carolina and the U.S. to form.
North Carolina Emergency Management recommends these tips for preparing for hurricanes:
- Plan with your family what you will do before, during and after an emergency, including how to communicate and where you will go. It’s a good idea to have a designated out-of-state contact.
- Learn how to turn off utilities including water, gas and electricity safely.
- Collect copies of important documents such as social security cards, birth or adoption certificates, passports or green cards, wills, insurance policies and bank statements in a waterproof container with your emergency kit.
- Make an emergency kit with basic supplies such as enough food and water for each person for at least three days, a battery-powered or hand crank radio and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio, cell phone and charger, first aid kit, prescription medications, flashlights and cash. Learn more about making an emergency kit at readync.gov.
Rain expected across NC on Thursday
While not related to Humberto, parts of North Carolina are expected to receive rain starting Thursday.
There is a marginal risk for severe weather in the Charlotte area and Triangle on Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Raleigh, a few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across parts of the Triangle starting in the afternoon, with damaging wind gusts over 60 mph the biggest threat.
In the Charlotte area, showers and thunderstorms are likely through Thursday evening ahead of a cold front.
This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 9:53 AM.
