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.

It's been more than a year and a half since Hurricane Helene decimated Western North Carolina, and we are still uncovering the factors that compounded this historic tragedy.Tonight on the Carolina Weather Group, James Brierton sits down with WCNC Charlotte investigative reporter Nate Morabito. Nate shares the findings of his recent investigation, revealing how missing landslide data could have saved lives if it had been more readily available. We dive deep into the state's landslide mapping program, which was frozen for eight years starting in 2011, leaving critical gaps in data across the mountains.**In tonight's episode, we discuss:*** The sheer scale of the disaster, which triggered at least 3,000 landslides.* The heartbreaking story of an Avery County man whose wife died in a landslide because their unmapped community had no idea they were at risk.* How a family looking to build in Chimney Rock used existing maps to consult a geologist, ultimately walking away from a property that was destroyed by Helene three years later.* Where you can go right now to check the North Carolina Landslide Mapping Program for susceptibility and debris flow pathways.We also cover:**Frank's Forecast:** Frank Strait tracks a cold front bringing a marginal risk of severe storms, isolated damaging winds, and heavy morning rain to the Carolinas on Thursday.**Record Heat to Hard Freeze:** After days of record-setting 90-degree heat in places like Fayetteville, Charlotte, and Beaufort, a much stronger cold front is slated to bring blustery winds and a hard freeze early next week.**Drought & Wildfire Danger:** A look at the extreme drought conditions fueling wildfires across the region, including recent fires in Gaston and Dare counties.**SC Severe Weather Preparedness Week:** Tips on finding your safe place during a tornado, plus historical tornado stats from the SC State Climatology Office.**NASCAR & Space:** Meteorologist Scottie Powell gives his forecast for the Las Vegas race, and we discuss how to spot a Friday morning Starlink rocket launch.**Too Many Tabs:** We check in on the I-40 Pigeon River Gorge concrete plant for Helene recovery, celebrate the SC State Library awards for the Climatology Office, and debut Frank's AI-generated weather alter ego.🌟 **A Special Thank You to Our Supporters!** 🌟The raw, unedited version of tonight's main interview with Nate Morabito was made available a day early exclusively to our Patreon and YouTube Member supporters. If you want early access to our deep-dive interviews and behind-the-scenes content, consider supporting the channel by joining our Patreon or becoming a YouTube Channel Member!#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.

Tonight, we are thrilled to be joined by Jen Walton from the groundbreaking organization, Girls Who Chase. Jen stops by to talk about the incredible community they are building and gives us an exclusive look at two massive upcoming virtual events designed for weather enthusiasts, storm chasers, and photographers of all experience levels.In this episode, we dive into:⛈️ All Things Radar: Severe Weather Workshop (March 7): Delivered in partnership with COMET/MetEd, this interactive workshop will help you master radar products to prepare for and chase severe weather. From a "Radar 101" refresher to high-resolution mobile radar case studies, this is a must-attend for anyone wanting to get the most out of their radar apps in the field.🌋 Capturing Awe Summit (April 18-19): A first-of-its-kind weekend dedicated to photographing some of the most awe-inspiring forces on Earth. Jen breaks down what attendees can expect as they learn from internationally acclaimed photographers about chasing and shooting severe weather, lightning, active volcanoes, lava, and the aurora borealis.Whether you are looking to brush up on your severe weather forecasting skills, learn the art of extreme nature photography, or just hear some great stories from the field, you won't want to miss this conversation!Register for the events discussed in tonight's episode:📡 Radar Workshop: https://girlswhochase.com/radarworkshop📸 Capturing Awe: https://girlswhochase.com/capturingawePlus, Frank and James stick around to discuss a few more headlines in their "Too Many Tabs" segment:Tornadoes: Remembering the Moore, Oklahoma EF2 tornado from 2015 and the importance of having a tornado safe place.Space Launches: Breathtaking views of recent SpaceX Starlink launches visible across the East Coast.Artemis Update: NASA's shifting timeline for the Artemis program, now targeting a lunar landing in 2028.Wildfires: The latest on the East Tower Fire burning in Dare County, North Carolina, and a handy app for tracking wildfires.Hurricane Names: The retirement of the name "Melissa" and which letter holds the record for the most retired names.#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 "Epic Blizzard of 2026" has paralyzed the Northeast, and tonight the Carolina Weather Group goes beyond the Carolinas to break down the historic totals. We are joined by our Chief New Jersey Correspondent, Peter Planamente, who shares exclusive 24-hour time-lapse footage of his home being engulfed by nearly 20 inches of snow.We dive into the "warm seclusion" meteorology that gave this storm a hurricane-like appearance on satellite and review the staggering official totals, including a massive 37.9 inches in Rhode Island. Plus, we cover the latest NASA updates regarding the medical return of Mike Fink and the Artemis II SLS rocket's return to the VAB.

📹 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.

Tonight on the Carolina Weather Group, we open our archives for a special encore presentation covering three major weather anniversaries in the Carolinas.❄️ The "Granddaddy" of Them All: The Great Southeastern Snowstorm of 1973 (Original Air Date: 2023)First, we look back 50+ years to February 1973, when a historic storm dropped up to 24 inches of snow on South Carolina. Frank Strait and Melissa Griffin from the South Carolina State Climatology Office join us to discuss the records set by this event, including a verified blizzard in Florence, SC. We discuss the impacts, from thousands of stranded travelers on I-95 to thunder snow reported by cooperative observers.🌪️ February 2020 Tornado Outbreak (Original Air Date: 2020)Next, we revisit the severe weather outbreak that struck the region in February 2020. Host James Brierton reports from Matthews, NC, where an EF-1 tornado downed trees in the Park Crossing neighborhood. Panelists Scotty Powell and Evan Fisher break down the storm surveys, including an EF-2 in Gaston County that toppled massive transmission towers and an EF-1 that tracked over 10 miles near Spartanburg, SC.🎈 150 Years of the National Weather Service (Original Air Date 2020)Finally, we celebrate the founding of the National Weather Service, which began operation in 1870. Weather industry veteran Tom Niziol (formerly of The Weather Channel and NWS Buffalo) takes us through the agency's fascinating history, from its origins under the US Army Signal Corps to the modern era of satellites and radar.Featured in this episode:Frank Strait, SC State Climatology OfficeMelissa Griffin, Assistant State Climatologist for SCTom Niziol, Former Winter Weather Expert at The Weather Channel & NWSJames Brierton, HostScotty Powell, CWG AnalystEvan Fisher, CWG Analyst#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.