North Carolina Weather Radar

North Carolina climate

North Carolina's climate spans from humid subtropical on the coastal plain to continental in the western mountains, creating three distinct climate zones within a single state. The Outer Banks along the Atlantic coast have a maritime climate moderated by the Gulf Stream, while the Blue Ridge Mountains experience cooler temperatures and heavier precipitation. Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet, is the highest point east of the Mississippi and receives over 70 inches of precipitation annually.

The state faces weather threats from multiple directions: hurricanes from the Atlantic, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the Piedmont, and winter storms that can produce heavy snow in the mountains and ice storms in the central region. Cape Hatteras has been called the Graveyard of the Atlantic due to the dangerous intersection of ocean currents and frequent storms. Hurricane Florence in 2018 caused catastrophic inland flooding with rainfall totals exceeding 30 inches in some areas.

Summers across the Piedmont and coastal plain are hot and humid, with average highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. The mountain region offers relief with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees cooler. Winter weather is highly variable and can change dramatically with small shifts in the rain-snow line. Ice storms are particularly destructive in the Piedmont, where temperatures often hover near freezing during winter precipitation events.