North Carolina
Severe storms expected in Western NC, tornado possible: See the latest forecast
AccuWeather’s 2025 spring forecast
AccuWeather’s l preview of the spring 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.
RALEIGH, NC — For years, WRAL Investigates tracked problems with North Carolina’s unemployment benefits system.
Now, two new follow-up audits show the same problems still persist inside the Division of Employment Security (DES) when it comes to paying the correct amount of unemployment and paying those first-time benefits on time.
The first audit deals with improper payments. The category includes fraud, overpayments and underpayments.
From 2021-2025, the auditor found the improper payment rate for unemployment benefits in North Carolina was 22%, most of which were overpayments. That’s more than double the national standard of 10% error rate.
According to the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA), those payment errors cost taxpayers more than $90 million over the expected 10% error rate.
In fact, the improper payment rate got worse compared to an initial audit’s findings back in 2022, when OSA found errors in 18% of payments.
The second follow-up audit out today dealt with timeliness of benefits, meaning when people finally got paid after filing and qualifying for unemployment.
In 2024- 2025, 28% of first-time unemployment checks were not cut within the 14-day federal standard. While not great, it’s an improvement compared to previous audit findings of 40% late checks in 2022 and 43% of late checks in 2024.
In fact, the auditor’s office noted on-time payments in below the national standard in just 3 of the past 20 years.
The Division of Unemployment Security agreed with the findings and recommendations to improve North Carolina’s unemployment system.
As visitors enjoy North Carolina’s outdoors this summer, members of the North Carolina State Parks and Recreation fire team are helping fight a wildfire in the eastern part of the state.
The agency said its Natural Resource Section’s Fire Management Team is assisting the N.C. Forest Service and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission with the Rose Bay Canal Wildfire.
Officials said the agencies work closely together during fire season to help contain wildfires and protect communities, natural resources and public lands.
According to North Carolina State Parks and Recreation, nearly 5,000 wildfires have started across the state since the beginning of 2026.
Fire danger is expected to remain high as summer continues.
State parks officials are reminding people to be fire-wise when heading outdoors.
People should follow local burn restrictions and never leave a fire unattended.
Officials said all fires should be completely extinguished before people leave the area.
Fires are only allowed in designated areas, such as grills and fire rings, at state parks.
-
Oregon2 minutes agoDeadly officer-involved shooting on Oregon Coast under investigation
-
Pennsylvania9 minutes agoShowers Thursday morning, warm and gusty for the afternoon
-
Rhode Island12 minutes agoCumberland Man Charged With DUI After Crash in Lincoln: Cops
-
South-Carolina17 minutes agoSouth Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for June 17, 2026
-
South Dakota24 minutes ago
SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for June 17, 2026
-
Tennessee27 minutes agoTennessee man sentenced to 24 years for fentanyl distribution conspiracy
-
Texas32 minutes agoDPS trooper killed in Texas Panhandle crash, agency says
-
Utah39 minutes agoUtah first lady Abby Cox optimistic about legislative moves to strengthen child literacy
