North Carolina

Severe storms expected in Western NC, tornado possible: See the latest forecast

Published

12 months ago

March 15, 2025

Press Room

Severe storms expected in Western NC, tornado possible: See the latest forecast

Severe weather is expected in Western North Carolina beginning tonight, Saturday, March 15.

National Weather Service forecasts call for showers and thunderstorms as well as gusty winds Saturday night through Sunday night. A wind advisory and hazardous weather outlook have been issued, warning residents of the area of possible danger brought by the storm front.

Here’s what we know about the hazards beginning Saturday night.

Heavy wind warning

A wind advisory issued by the NWS at 1:56 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, is affecting Buncombe, Graham, Haywood, Macon, Madison, Northern Jackson, Southern Jackson and Swain Counties. The advisory, in affect from 6 p.m. Saturday until 2 p.m. Sunday, warns of south winds reaching 20-30 mph with gusts of 40-50 mph expected in the valleys. Winds will gust as high as 70 mph on high peaks and ridgetops.

Winds of this force may blow around unsecured objects and blow down tree limbs, potentially resulting in some power outages. Extra precaution is also advised for drivers, as driving may be more difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

Thunderstorms, possible flooding, tornadoes

A hazardous weather outlook issued by the NWS at 2:53 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, is affecting northeast Georgia, WNC and Upstate South Carolina. Also in affect 6 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday, the outlook warns of a powerful storm system that will bring heavy rain and severe storms.

Main hazards mentioned in the outlook included damaging wind gusts, as well as “a strong tornado or two” possible in the affected region during the storm. In a Friday report from the Citizen Times, NWS Meteorologist Chris Horne said that while no widespread or severe flooding is expected, some areas of WNC could see heavy or excessive rainfall that could lead to isolated flooding. This was reiterated in the outlook, with highest possibility for flooding in the S.C., Georgia and southwest N.C. mountains.

Strong to severe storms may redevelop Sunday afternoon, but NWS confidence is currently low.

Asheville weekend weather

Saturday, March 15 – Showers and possibly a thunderstorm beginning overnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 57 degrees. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 16 to 21 mph and gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday, March 16 – Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 12 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 12-1 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 71 degrees. South southeast wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. A 40 percent chance of showers remains between 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Mostly cloudy Sunday night, with a low around 35 degrees. North northwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Hendersonville weekend weather

Saturday, March 15 – Scattered showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 58 degrees. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 24 mph and gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday, March 16 – Showers and thunderstorms before 12 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 12-1 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog between 7-8 a.m. High near 69 degrees. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 17 to 21 mph and gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. A 20 percent chance of showers continues before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy overnight, with a low around 37 degrees. West wind 7 to 14 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.

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North Carolina

State and local leaders discuss ‘child-care crisis’ in NC

Published

9 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

State and local leaders discuss ‘child-care crisis’ in NC

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — State and local leaders gathered in Durham on Thursday to discuss how they say North Carolina’s ‘child-care crisis’ is taking a toll on our communities.

“We’re demanding recognition,” former childcare provider DeeDee Fields said. “We want fair compensation. We want health protections and a retirement pathway for the workforce that makes all the work possible.”

Childcare is one of the biggest expenses North Carolinians face, with infant care more costly than in-state college tuition per year, according to data. Childcare for a four-year-old costs nearly $8,000 a year.

Since 2020, North Carolina has seen a record loss of licensed childcare programs. Durham County, for example, experienced a 14% drop.

“I think a lot of people are making these tough choices about what makes the most sense for their family,” Nylah Jimerson said.

Jimerson used to work as a nanny before she became a parent. She’s one of more than a quarter of parents in North Carolina who left the workforce to stay home to care for children.

As North Carolina is the only state without a new budget, childcare is top of mind for State Sen. Sophia Chitlik, who co-authored a package of bills that aims to better support the industry, including making childcare more affordable.

“The ‘Child Care Omnibus’ is part of a series of bills that have budget requirements and budget asks in them,” Chitlik said. “But we’re not going to know until we get a state budget. The most urgent and important thing, in addition to those subsidies, is raising the subsidy floor … so I hope that there is bipartisan consensus that would be worked out in a state budget.”

North Carolina could remain without a budget until the legislature is back in session in April.

“We have got to do something about childcare,” Sen. Natalie Murdock said. “We shouldn’t be in this position … we have to have a sustainable model and program because it’s about our children.”

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North Carolina

Lawmakers discuss solutions to solving a 'child care crisis' in NC

Published

22 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Lawmakers discuss solutions to solving a 'child care crisis' in NC

State and local leaders are meeting in Durham to talk about solutions to what lawmakers call a “child care crisis” in North Carolina. There will also be local leaders discussing other solutions to improve child care services and make them more affordable.

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North Carolina

North Carolina teen accused of killing 1 sibling, seriously injuring another

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

North Carolina teen accused of killing 1 sibling, seriously injuring another

FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C. — A 10th grader, who is charged with killing his 12-year-old and seriously assaulting his 9-year-old sibling, has been arraigned.

Police say 16-year-old Jackson Borrello killed his 12-year-old sibling and, according to his arrest warrant, assaulted his 9-year-old sibling with a knife and hammer.

The young victim is at the hospital fighting for their life.

The defendant was arraigned on the murder and assault charges at a hospital Wednesday.

Wake County, North Carolina District Attorney Lorrin Freeman would not say why the arraignment was held outside the Wake County Courthouse.

“We’re not at liberty to discuss publicly,” Freeman said. “There are times, though, when somebody has to be hospitalized, or for other reasons an individual cannot actually come to court for first appearance. In those situations, the law requires that we provide a first appearance, and that will be done at a location with a judge and attorneys present.”

SEE ALSO: Mar-a-Lago shooting: NC man shot, killed never interested in politics, guns, family says

A message went out to staff and families at Fuquay-Varina Middle School about Clara Borrello’s death.

“Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends . . . We will continue to have staff available at the school to assist our students in coping with this loss,” the principal said.

Counselors are additionally being made available at Willow Spring High School, where Borrello was a student.

Jackson Borrello is charged as an adult on the murder and assault charges.

Freeman says the case is concerning.

“Like so many communities throughout the country, we have seen a real significant increase in violent crimes, serious violent crime among our juvenile population,” Freeman said. “This is something that is going to require just a really aggressive approach to handling. So many times in these situations, there are other underlying complicating issues, mental health issues, different things that might be going on.”

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