NOAA Archives | Randolph News Now

Nov302023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Solar Storms Expected to Impact Tonight, Could bring Auroras to North Carolina

Weather

A coronal mass ejection bursting from the edge of the Sun on May 1, 2013. (NASA) ASHEBORO N.C. - Four explosions on the surface of the sun have sent waves of charged particles flying through space resulting in a geomagnetic storm and auroras tonight. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) operates the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) which is tasked with providing space weather forecasts and alerts. On Wednesday, November 29th, 2023, the Space Weather Prediction Center issued an alert that a fast moving coronal mass ejection (CME) could combine with three other CMEs already headed towards Earth, resulting in one larger geomagnetic storm, which is expected to impact the Earth in the tonight and into the early morning hours on December 1st, 2023. According ...

Jun62023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Trigger Air Quality Alert

Weather

Smoke from Canadian Wildfires can be seen blanketing Asheboro near the Interstate on June 6th, 2023. (Scott Pelkey / RNN-North State Journal) ASHEBORO N.C. - Smoke from wildfires in eastern Canada has triggered a Code Orange Air Quality alert across much of North Carolina, and tomorrow will be worse with officials already issuing a Code Red Air Quality Alert for Wednesday. Wildfires have burned nearly one million acres over the past two weeks across Western Canada, producing incredibly large plumes of smoke that have stretched across the North American continent, making their way into North Carolina throughout today. The smoke plumes are so large that they were captured on NOAA weather satellite imagery on Monday and can be seen in the video below compiled by the Cooperative Insti...

Apr172023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Raleigh National Weather Service Radar Down for Maintenance

Weather

ASHEBORO N.C. - Starting today, April 17th, 2023, the KRAX Weather Radar operated by NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) in Raleigh, NC, will be unavailable for approximately two weeks for a critical upgrade. The radar is going offline for planned maintenance as technicians refurbish and replace the pedestal, a critical component necessary for antenna rotation and positioning. "The components are extremely heavy and will require the radome to be removed by crane and replaced when the work is completed," said the NWS office in a press release. "The radar and pedestal were designed to last 25 years, and these components have exceeded their projected life span." The KRAX WSR-88D is part of a network of 159 operational radars that make up the nationwide NEXRAD network. During the...

Nov72022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Forecasters Watching Subtropical Storm Nicole as Forecast Tracks Target East Coast

Weather

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, in...

Oct252022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NOAA: Winter Forecast – “Warmer, drier South with ongoing La Nina”

Weather

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9nof83RezU&t=18s ASHEBORO N.C. - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) is calling for a warmer and dryer winter this year as La Nina continues. Each year NOAA puts out its yearly winter forecast predictions. This year the governmental agencies forecast which covers December 2022 through February 2023, is calling for La Niña to return for a third consecutive winter. For North Carolina this forecast calls for warmer-than-average temperatures with drier-than-average conditions. “The hardworking forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center produce timely and accurate seasonal outlooks and short-term forecasts year-round,” said Michael Farrar, Ph.D., director of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. “NOAA’s new s...

Jul262022 by Acme News WireNo Comments

Govt Launches Heat.gov As 30 Million Americans Are Under Heat Advisories

Weather

Heat.gov - Website Screenshot ASHEBORO N.C. (RCSVWX)- Today 38,308,317 Americans are under active National Weather Service extreme heat advisories, watches, and warnings. That number comes from the government's new heat.gov website. The National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) officially launched the site today following an online webinar with news outlets from across the country. Heat.gov is a collaboration of NIHHIS’ federal government partners, including NOAA, CDC, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Occupational Sa...

May262022 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

Forecasters Warn Of Chance Of Severe Storms Thursday Evening Into Friday

Weather

ASHEBORO N.C. - Forecasters with the National Weather Service office in Raleigh are warning of the possibility of severe thunderstorms starting this evening and continuing into Friday. Credit NOAA/NWS In the latest weather briefing the NWS say that showers and thunderstorms, will mainly impact the western part of the state, with some weaker storms reaching the Triad this evening. Strong to severe showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy rain, will move across the area in multiple rounds on Friday and Friday evening. Damaging winds, large hail and even a few tornadoes are possible along with localized flooding. The greatest risk is from near U.S. route 1 east. Officials are urging citizens to stay #weatheraware by having a way to receive severe weather alerts. In Randolph Coun...

Jun12021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Hurricane Season Is Officially Here

Weather

https://youtu.be/cU0ljJ4v-XA ASHEBORO NC - The start of June marks the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season. With the first storms already brewing weather experts are saying this year's seasons will be another active one. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is calling for a 60% chance of an above-normal season and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season. Thankfully, experts do not think we will see the historic level of storm activity we saw in 2020. Forecasters say they expect anywhere from 13 to 20 named storms, of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes with 3 to 5 of those becoming major hurricanes at Category 3 or higher. Now is the time to prepare "With hurricane season starting on June 1, now is the time to get ready and advance disaster res...

Mar172021 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Severe Weather Possible Thursday

Weather

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJArbe7otHU ASHEBORO NC- The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook ahead of possible severe weather forecast for Thursday. WHAT IS EXPECTED Numerous strong to severe thunderstorms are expected Thursday. These storms will bring with them the possibility of damaging straight-line winds, large hail, and a few significant tornadoes. In a weather briefing, Wednesday afternoon meteorologist stated that the potential for significant severe tornadoes (EF2+) covers all of central NC. WHEREAll of central North Carolina can experience severe thunderstorms on Thursday. However, the worst of the storms are expected to occur 30 miles on either side of the US-1 corridor. WHENFor Randolph County, severe weather is expected between 12 P...