Carolina Weather Group

On this week’s Carolina Weather Group (Episode 559 – October 1, 2025), James Brierton, Frank Strait, Sam Walker, and Joseph Naven unpack the federal government shutdown — and what it really means for the National Weather Service, NOAA, and hurricane operations across the Southeast. The team discusses: What services will continue during the shutdown (like life-saving forecasts and warnings) Why NOA...

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is joined by the National Weather Service and state officials to discuss preparations for Tropical Depression Nine, the storm forecast to become Hurricane Imelda in the days ahead. Impacts to the Carolina coast are forecast to include heavy rain, gusty winds and rough surf. #weather #northcarolina #southcarolina #ncwx #scwx #podcast 📹 Join this channel to ge...

The National Hurricane Center has issued the first hurricane forecast cone for a storm system expected to become Imelda. Impacts from Imelda are forecast to include heavy rain, gusty winds and rough surf along the Carolinas. The storm is organizing itself just north of Cuba. Until it becomes better organized, the system is referred to as "Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine." It could become...

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeastern United States, bringing deadly storm surge, destructive winds, tornadoes, and record-breaking rainfall. Combined with a rare Predecessor Rainfall Event (PRE), the storm caused catastrophic flooding across North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, leaving behind nearly $80 billion in damage. One year later, the Carolin...

Tropical Storm Humberto officially formed in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday. It is one of two areas of tropical development being monitored by the WCNC Weather Impact Team. At 5 p.m., NOAA's National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced that Tropical Storm Humberto had officially developed about 550 miles northeast of the Leeward Islands, moving northwest at 15 mph with sustained winds of 40 mph. Pri...

It’s been one year since Hurricane Helene devastated the Carolinas — from catastrophic flooding in Asheville and the French Broad River Valley to the ongoing recovery in Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. In this special Carolina Weather Group podcast, James Brierton talks with WCNC's Brad Panovich and WFMY's Tim Buckley, as they reflect on the storm’s impacts, the lessons still being learned, an...

With this Wednesday marking the average peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, the Carolina Weather Group is revisiting some of our most memorable hurricane interviews, including WCNC forecaster Larry Sprinkle, former WBTV chief meteorologist Eric Thomas, and then-National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham, who now oversees all of the National Weather Service. In 2019, Scotty Powell, Evan Fishe...

It's Labor Day week, and as summer comes to a close, it's an extended road trip edition of the Carolina Weather Group! Texas Republicans have recently proposed moving a space vehicle - potentially Space Shuttle Discovery - to Texas. Join James and Tim for a never-before-seen look at their July 2023 railfanning road trip, where they also stopped at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Smithsoni...

When Hurricane Helene hit the Carolinas, it left a path of destruction caused by wind, rain and flooding. Clint Basinger was one of many who had the misfortune of having the storm drop a tree through his Asheville, North Carolina, home. Clint is a YouTuber known to millions as LGR. His videos cover retro tech, PC gaming and more. When the tree hit his home, it sent debris and rain not only into hi...

Hurricane Erin has restrengthened to 110 mph winds and is bringing 2–4 feet of storm surge to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Mandatory evacuations are underway for Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands, and NC Highway 12 faces the threat of washouts and impassable conditions .In this special hurricane update, the Carolina Weather Group delivers the latest advisories from the National Hurricane Center and c...

With Tropical Storm Warnings, Storm Surge Warnings, and dangerous rip currents along the Carolina coastline, we break down what you need to know as Erin makes its closest pass offshore. 🔴 Key coverage includes: Latest track and intensity of Hurricane Erin Expected tropical storm force winds and rainfall for the Carolinas Life-threatening surf, rip currents, and storm surge impacts Coastal floodin...

#erin #hurricane #weather Hurricane Erin has re-intensified into a powerful Category 4 hurricane with winds of 130 mph after completing an eyewall replacement cycle. Erin is now a very large hurricane and is expected to bring life-threatening surf and rip currents along the entire U.S. East Coast, including North Carolina’s Outer Banks. As the storm grows in size and tracks northwest, residents of...

In this episode of the Carolina Weather Group, Duke University Associate Professor Dr. Brian McAdoo joins us to share his first-hand experience witnessing a tsunami in Hawaii just weeks ago. With decades of research into earthquakes, tsunamis, and the disaster management cycle, Dr. McAdoo offers valuable insights into how communities respond, recover, and prepare for the next natural disaster. We...

The tropics are heating up and North Carolina is underwater. In this episode of the Carolina Weather Group:We begin with the latest on Tropical Storm Dexter, which is gaining strength in the North Atlantic and stirring up rough surf and dangerous rip currents along the Carolina coastline. Two more disturbances in the Atlantic are being closely monitored:One off the Southeast U.S. coast, with a sma...

A historic magnitude 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Russia triggers tsunami warnings across the Pacific — including for Hawaii, Alaska, and the U.S. West Coast. Earthquake geologist Dr. Wendy Bohon joins the Carolina Weather Group to break down the science behind the massive quake, tsunami generation, and what to expect in the days ahead. Plus: the Carolinas swelter under relentless heat, but is...

#weather #northcarolina #southcarolina #ncwx #scwx #podcast Join the Carolina Weather Group for a special on-location episode from the Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, NC. This week’s show covers critical weather topics affecting the Carolinas: 🌊 North Carolina Flooding & Climate Change Former TV meteorologist Candace Jordan joins us to discuss recent flooding across North Carol...

North Carolina has been slammed by relentless storms and flooding—and it’s not over yet. In this episode of the Carolina Weather Group, we sit down with Brandon Jones, the Catawba Riverkeeper, to talk about protecting our rivers, why heavy rainfall leads to dangerous water pollution, and how you can help keep local waterways clean. We also check in with Tim Buckley, Chief Meteorologist at WFMY in...

In this emotional and informative episode of the Carolina Weather Group, we examine the devastating flash flooding disasters that unfolded in early July 2025 in both Texas and the Carolinas. With over 100 confirmed fatalities in Texas and more than 150 missing, meteorologists and scientists recount the harrowing moments and explain how a stalled storm system overwhelmed Kerrville and surrounding a...

Tropical Storm Chantal brought excessive rain to the Carolinas on Sunday. At this hour on Sunday night, flash flooding is occurring or forecast to occur across multiple counties in North Carolina. By morning, the Haw River will be at, or near, record-breaking levels. James Brierton looks at the day's reported rainfall totals, and the ongoing flooding. 📹 Join this channel to get access to perk...

Tropical Storm Chantal is bringing rainbands and tropical-storm-force winds to the Carolinas as it approaches landfall near the South Carolina coast. As of 8:00 PM EDT, Chantal was located 80 miles east-southeast of Charleston, SC, moving north at 7 mph with sustained winds of 45 mph. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from South Santee River, SC to Surf City, NC, and a Tropical Storm Watch rem...

How does a governor’s emergency message reach every corner of North Carolina—even the most remote areas? In this episode of the Carolina Weather Group, host James Brierton sits down with David Crabtree, CEO of PBS North Carolina, and Chris Pandich, the network’s Chief Engineer. Together, they pull back the curtain on how PBS NC powers statewide emergency communication, public safety alerts, and es...

#space #weather #meteorite #meteor #fireball #southcarolina #Northcarolina #georgia A meteor produced a fireball seen across the sky in the Southeast around 12:25 p.m. on Thursday. Carolina Weather Group co-host Meteorologist Frank Strait saw the fireball shoot across the sky in South Carolina. He discusses what he saw with James Brierton. Reports of the meteor came in from North Carolina, South C...

Former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate joins us to outline urgent ways the federal government can improve disaster response—before the next hurricane or wildfire hits. In this exclusive interview, we break down his recent Tampa Bay Times column calling for smarter survivor assistance, faster public rebuilding, and stronger local preparedness. With hurricane season just weeks away, Fugate—who led F...

NASA Solar System Ambassador Tony Rice returns to the Carolina Weather Group for a jam-packed episode diving into the latest from space. Recorded June 11, 2025, this episode covers: 🚀 The latest on private space launches to the ISS (and another delay!) 🌌 Solar flares and their impact on Earth’s weather and communications ✨ Why the aurora has been making headlines—and what it means for us 📡 Spa...

In this extended interview from April 29, 2015, the Carolina Weather Group closes out Severe Weather Awareness Month with a true icon in meteorology: Gary England, the legendary Oklahoma broadcaster who revolutionized how America prepares for tornadoes. For decades, Gary was the face of Oklahoma City’s severe weather coverage, becoming a household name through his calm presence during some of the...