Western North Carolina is facing the prospect of strong thunderstorms Sunday afternoon, June 29 — and forecasters are urging people in the region to be ready before the storms arrive.
The timing puts the threat squarely in the afternoon hours, when daytime heating typically fuels the strongest convective activity across the mountains. That window can compress quickly; conditions that look clear in the morning can turn dangerous within an hour or two once instability builds.
What’s next
Specific details on storm timing, affected counties, and any watches or warnings issued by the National Weather Service hadn’t been fully confirmed as of Saturday evening. Those specifics are expected to come into sharper focus Sunday morning as forecasters get a closer look at the atmosphere.
People spending Sunday outdoors in the mountains — whether hiking, at campgrounds, or on the water — should keep a close eye on the sky and have an indoor shelter option identified before heading out. Strong thunderstorms in the western part of the state can bring damaging wind gusts, hail, and heavy rain in a short amount of time, with mountain terrain making lightning especially dangerous in exposed areas.
Check the National Weather Service office at weather.gov for the latest watches, warnings, and hourly forecasts as Sunday approaches.
