ASHEBORO N.C. – Forecasters with the National Weather Service are keeping a close eye on Subtropical Storm Nicole as forecast models show the storm on track to impact the south-east coast by the end of the week.
Subtropical Storm Nicole is currently located 465 miles to the north and west of the east of Bahamas and is expected to reach the Florida’s coast by Wednesday night. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane prior to landfall which is currently projected somewhere along the east-central Florida coast either late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Today, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has already declared a state of emergency and coastal areas are preparing this week.
According to the NWS office in Raleigh, if current models hold, central North Carolina, including Randolph County, can expect significant rain and wind late Thursday and especially Friday and into Saturday as the system interacts with an approaching cold front.
There is a “potential for several inches of rain on Friday into Saturday across central NC. Significant river flooding is not expected but localized flooding of poor drainage areas and leaf clogged storm drains is possible.” said forecasters in a weather briefing on Monday morning. “Wind and severe weather threat appears limited with Nicole but it will be dependent on the storm track.”
Currently the 7 day forecast models show anywhere from 0.25 to 1.25 inches of rain expected across Randolph County, depending on location.
We will continue to track the storm and provide updates when new information is made available.