A lack of meaningful winter and spring rainfall, worsened by record heat fueled by climate change, has led to many states dealing with “severe to extreme drought,” increasing wildfire risks, and warranting water restrictions for some areas for the first time in decades.

Meteorologist Shel Winkley from Climate Central explains

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The Carolina Weather Group operates a weekly talk show of the same name. Broadcasting each week from the Carolinas, the show is dedicated to covering weather, science, technology, and more with newsmakers from the field of atmospheric science. With co-hosts across both North Carolina and South Carolina, the show may closely feature both NC weather and SC weather, but the topics are universally enjoyable for any weather fan. Join us as we talk about weather, the environment, the atmosphere, space travel, and all the technology that makes it possible.

Tonight on the Carolina Weather Group, we are tracking active storms across the Carolinas while facing a persistent and extreme drought.

⚡ SHOCKING LIGHTNING FOOTAGE

Storm chaser Dan Whitaker joins the panel to share incredible 4K slow-motion video of a lightning bolt striking the pavement just feet in front of his vehicle during a recent chase in Oklahoma. Dan describes the physical impact of the strike, including flying debris and "lightning beads," and explains how the intense flash affected his vision for hours.

🌀 HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK

With hurricane season less than a month away, we welcome Bob Bright, Lead Meteorologist at the NWS Wilmington, to discuss Hurricane Preparedness Week. We dive into: The potential impact of a developing strong El Niño on Atlantic wind shear. Current sea surface temperature trends in the Atlantic and Gulf. Resources for residents in North and South Carolina to prepare now.

🌦️ CAROLINAS FORECAST & DROUGHT UPDATE

The panel tracks a "three-punch" storm system moving through the region. While we welcome the rain to combat D3 Extreme and D4 Exceptional drought conditions, we also monitor a marginal severe weather risk for the coast. Plus, a look ahead to Mother's Day weekend!.

🕊️ REMEMBERING TED TURNER

Host James Brierton shares a personal reflection on the passing of media pioneer Ted Turner, discussing his massive impact on the news landscape and his history with Charlotte’s own WCNC

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00:00 - Intro & Dan Whitaker’s Lightning Chase

02:57 - Hurricane Prep with Bob Bright (NWS Wilmington)

06:21 - El Niño & Seasonal Hurricane Outlook

11:56 - Hurricanes 101 Webinar Info

16:34 - Carolinas Radar & Severe Weather Rounds

20:51 - Drought Monitor Update: Extreme Conditions

26:24 - Dan Whitaker’s Close-Call Lightning Video

37:40 - Last Week’s Supercell & MPing Reports

45:33 - Seven-Day Forecast & Mother’s Day Outlook

62:34 - Tribute to Ted Turner

The Carolina Weather Group operates a weekly talk show of the same name. Broadcasting each week from the Carolinas, the show is dedicated to covering weather, science, technology, and more with newsmakers from the field of atmospheric science. With co-hosts across both North Carolina and South Carolina, the show may closely feature both NC weather and SC weather, but the topics are universally enjoyable for any weather fan. Join us as we talk about weather, the environment, the atmosphere, space travel, and all the technology that makes it possible.

Thousands of acres are burning across the Southeast as dry weather persists.

Without rain, new fires are burning in North Carolina and South Carolina. Low humidity and gusty winds are making it easy for fires to start and spread.

A look at your forecast shows some rain is finally on the way, but with such a deficit, the drought conditions will continue. That's why some cities and counties have already begun drought restrictions

In this episode of the Carolina Weather Group, we sit down with Corey Davis from the NC State Climate Office and our panel of experts to discuss the "angry bear" of a drought that has been building since last fall. With parts of North Carolina nearly 17 inches below normal rainfall, we are seeing record-breaking dryness that hasn't been felt in some areas since 1911.

In this update, we cover:

Active Wildfires: Latest updates on the County Line Fire (Avery/Mitchell County), the 30,000-acre Pineland Road Fire in Georgia, and fires impacting Myrtle Beach and the Midlands.

Record Drought: Why April 2026 is on track to be one of the driest on record for Charlotte and Raleigh.

Water Restrictions: How local municipalities like Monroe and Charlotte are reacting to falling lake and streamflow levels.

The Helene Factor: How downed timber from Helene continues to fuel wildfires in the mountains 18 months later.

The Forecast: Meteorologist Frank Strait breaks down when (and if) we will see enough rain to "stop the bleeding".

A Beacon of Hope: We also discuss a major infrastructure milestone—the first Norfolk Southern train returning to Asheville from the east since Helene. Joseph Navin reports.

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The Carolina Weather Group operates a weekly talk show of the same name. Broadcasting each week from the Carolinas, the show is dedicated to covering weather, science, technology, and more with newsmakers from the field of atmospheric science. With co-hosts across both North Carolina and South Carolina, the show may closely feature both NC weather and SC weather, but the topics are universally enjoyable for any weather fan. Join us as we talk about weather, the environment, the atmosphere, space travel, and all the technology that makes it possible.

What is it like to witness the historic Artemis II launch in person? 🚀 Plus, what do the newly announced water restrictions mean for North and South Carolina?This week on the Carolina Weather Group, we are joined by North Carolina-based NASA Solar System Ambassador Tony Rice. Tony shares his incredible firsthand stories and behind-the-scenes insights from witnessing the launch of Artemis II live from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. We discuss the future of space exploration, the return to the Moon, and what the atmosphere was like at KSC during liftoff!Then, our panel of meteorologists and weather experts shifts focus back to Earth to tackle the ongoing severe drought conditions impacting both North Carolina and South Carolina. We break down the latest forecast, analyze the drought monitor, and discuss the brand-new water restrictions announced today.In this episode, we cover:NASA's Artemis II Mission: Tony Rice's firsthand account from Kennedy Space Center.Behind the Scenes at KSC: What the public didn't see during the historic Moon mission launch.NC & SC Drought Update: The latest meteorological data on the ongoing dry spell.New Water Restrictions: What residents in the Carolinas need to know about the newly announced conservation efforts and how it impacts your community.#Artemis #NASA #SpaceLaunch #ArtemisII #CarolinaWeatherGroup #LiveCoverage📹 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmhGiYbMDccQcdSjpf87nGg/join🧢 MERCH: https://carolinaweathergroup.qbstores.com/💸 LEAVE A TIP: https://streamelements.com/carolinawxgroup/tip🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/carolinaweather🔔 SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/carolinaweathergroup💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://carolinaweathergroup.comThe Carolina Weather Group operates a weekly talk show of the same name. Broadcasting each week from the Carolinas, the show is dedicated to covering weather, science, technology, and more with newsmakers from the field of atmospheric science. With co-hosts across both North Carolina and South Carolina, the show may closely feature both NC weather and SC weather, but the topics are universally enjoyable for any weather fan. Join us as we talk about weather, the environment, the atmosphere, space travel, and all the technology that makes it possible.

Humanity is heading back to the moon! 🚀 Join Jared Smith and Ricky Matthews from the Carolina Weather Group for a live watch party and analysis of the historic NASA Artemis II launch. This incredible mission sends four NASA astronauts inside the Orion capsule on a journey around the moon.

Experience the thrill of the 6:35 PM ET liftoff , listen in on the live NASA communications , and catch a special on-the-ground view from meteorologist Frank Strait, who watched the launch live just outside of Titusville, Florida.

Because we are the Carolina Weather Group, we also had to put a meteorological spin on things! Watch as Frank uses the lingering launch vapor cloud to demonstrate real-time wind shear in the troposphere , and see Jared spot the rocket's exhaust plume from space using the GOES-19 visible satellite channel!

In this video:

• Countdown Updates: Ricky breaks down the T-minus 10 hold and the flawless launch count.

  
  

• On-Site View: Frank Strait joins from a bridge near Titusville to capture the sights and sounds of the SLS rocket.

  
  

• Liftoff: Watch the Artemis II crew cross the boundary into space!

  
  

• Weather Analysis: A live breakdown of wind shear using the rocket's vapor trail.

  
  

• Satellite View: Spotting the launch plume on the GOES-19 satellite.

  
  

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and let us know in the comments where you were watching this historic launch from!

#Artemis #NASA #SpaceLaunch #ArtemisII #CarolinaWeatherGroup #LiveCoverage📹 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmhGiYbMDccQcdSjpf87nGg/join🧢 MERCH: https://carolinaweathergroup.qbstores.com/💸 LEAVE A TIP: https://streamelements.com/carolinawxgroup/tip🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/carolinaweather🔔 SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/carolinaweathergroup💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://carolinaweathergroup.comThe Carolina Weather Group operates a weekly talk show of the same name. Broadcasting each week from the Carolinas, the show is dedicated to covering weather, science, technology, and more with newsmakers from the field of atmospheric science. With co-hosts across both North Carolina and South Carolina, the show may closely feature both NC weather and SC weather, but the topics are universally enjoyable for any weather fan. Join us as we talk about weather, the environment, the atmosphere, space travel, and all the technology that makes it possible.

This week on the Carolina Weather Group: We are tracking a dangerous mix of weather conditions sparking a severe fire threat across North and South Carolina. Plus, we look ahead to a historic milestone in space exploration! Worsening Drought & Fire ThreatA prolonged lack of rain has plunged the Carolinas into severe and extreme drought. We break down the rainfall deficits, which are sitting around 5.2 inches in Charlotte, 4.3 inches in Raleigh, and 5.6 inches in Columbia over the last 90 days. The combination of bone-dry weather, plummeting humidity, and breezy conditions is fueling widespread wildfire risk. We discuss ongoing situations like the 300-acre Poplar Fire in North Carolina, which is complicated by downed trees from Hurricane Helene , and the 630-acre Woodlawn Fire in South Carolina.🤧 Pollen Explosion & Too Many TabsIt might not be raining water, but it's raining pollen! We talk about the massive amounts of pollen covering the Carolinas and its impact on allergies and asthma. Then, in our "Too Many Tabs" segment, we cover:The reopening of US 64 between Bat Cave after Hurricane Helene.A look back at the historic late-season snowstorm of March 1983.Upcoming changes to the National Hurricane Center's forecast cone to better show inland impacts.Meteorologist Scottie Powell drops by with your race weekend forecast for Martinsville.🚀 Countdown to NASA's Artemis IIFinally, we shift our focus from the ground to the stars to preview the highly anticipated launch of NASA's Artemis II. We discuss the launch windows opening on Wednesday, April 1 , as four astronauts prepare to take a test drive around the Moon.#weather #northcarolina #southcarolina #ncwx #scwx #podcast📹 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmhGiYbMDccQcdSjpf87nGg/join🧢 MERCH: https://carolinaweathergroup.qbstores.com/💸 LEAVE A TIP: https://streamelements.com/carolinawxgroup/tip🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/carolinaweather🔔 SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/carolinaweathergroup💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://carolinaweathergroup.comThe Carolina Weather Group operates a weekly talk show of the same name. Broadcasting each week from the Carolinas, the show is dedicated to covering weather, science, technology, and more with newsmakers from the field of atmospheric science. With co-hosts across both North Carolina and South Carolina, the show may closely feature both NC weather and SC weather, but the topics are universally enjoyable for any weather fan. Join us as we talk about weather, the environment, the atmosphere, space travel, and all the technology that makes it possible.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a rare Moderate Risk (Level 4/5) for the Carolinas this past Monday, but did the forecast actually verify? While over 100 reports of damaging winds rolled in, the expected "tornado outbreak" tells a more complicated story.Tonight, we are joined by Clay Chaney from the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg. Clay led the storm survey in Charlotte, where he officially confirmed an EF-0 tornado that damaged buildings in the Queen City. We also dive into the data behind two additional EF-0 tornadoes confirmed in Madison County, NC.Was the tornado threat a "bust," or did the atmospheric ingredients simply shift? We break down the science of the "Conditional Intensity" and why the wind took center stage over the twist.🎙️ TONIGHT’S PANEL:James Brierton (Charlotte, NC)Frank Strait (Columbia, SC)Sam Walker (Outer Banks, NC)Greg Fishel (Raleigh, NC)Scotty Powell (Myrtle Beach, SC)📍 WHAT WE COVER:Charlotte Tornado Survey: Details on the EF-0 touchdown in the Queen City.The Madison County Spin-ups: Analyzing the two tornadoes in Western NC.Verification vs. Perception: Did the Moderate Risk "verify" based on 100+ wind reports?Atmospheric Forensics: The missing ingredients that prevented a higher-end tornado event.New SPC Tools: Clay explains the new conditional probabilities and hash marks appearing on severe weather outlooks this season.🏁 WE ALSO DISCUSSJellyfish Watch: Sam Walker on the SpaceX Starlink launch visible Thursday morning.NASCAR Forecast: Scotty Powell breaks down the "Too Tough to Tame" weekend at Darlington Raceway#ncwx #scwx #charlotte #tornado #weather #carolinaweather #severeweather #meteorology #NWS#weather #northcarolina #southcarolina #ncwx #scwx #podcast📹 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmhGiYbMDccQcdSjpf87nGg/join🧢 MERCH: https://carolinaweathergroup.qbstores.com/💸 LEAVE A TIP: https://streamelements.com/carolinawxgroup/tip🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/carolinaweather🔔 SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/carolinaweathergroup💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://carolinaweathergroup.comThe Carolina Weather Group operates a weekly talk show of the same name. Broadcasting each week from the Carolinas, the show is dedicated to covering weather, science, technology, and more with newsmakers from the field of atmospheric science. With co-hosts across both North Carolina and South Carolina, the show may closely feature both NC weather and SC weather, but the topics are universally enjoyable for any weather fan. Join us as we talk about weather, the environment, the atmosphere, space travel, and all the technology that makes it possible.

Potentially damaging severe weather is forecast for Monday, March 16.The Carolina Weather Group has the latest storm forecast timing and impacts.All of North Carolina and South Carolina could see severe weather, including tornadoes, damaging wind and hail. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has placed part of the Carolinas under a "Moderate" tier 4 out of 5 severe weather risk. This is rare and unusually-high severe weather threat for the Carolinas.Prepare now for potentially life-threatening severe weather. Be sure to have multiple ways to get severe weather warnings. #weather #northcarolina #southcarolina #ncwx #scwx #podcast📹 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmhGiYbMDccQcdSjpf87nGg/join🧢 MERCH: https://carolinaweathergroup.qbstores.com/💸 LEAVE A TIP: https://streamelements.com/carolinawxgroup/tip🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/carolinaweather🔔 SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/carolinaweathergroup💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://carolinaweathergroup.comThe Carolina Weather Group operates a weekly talk show of the same name. Broadcasting each week from the Carolinas, the show is dedicated to covering weather, science, technology, and more with newsmakers from the field of atmospheric science. With co-hosts across both North Carolina and South Carolina, the show may closely feature both NC weather and SC weather, but the topics are universally enjoyable for any weather fan. Join us as we talk about weather, the environment, the atmosphere, space travel, and all the technology that makes it possible.