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From The Mountains To The Outer Banks

From The Mountains To The Outer Banks

The North Carolina State Climate Office serves as the primary scientific extension resource for weather and climate science for the state of North Carolina. The office achieves its mission through climate science monitoring, education, extension, and research.

Top image: Fall leaf colors across Grandfather Mountain on Oct 13, 2026
(Photo by Leslie Restivo/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)

What we do

A photo of the ECONet weather station on Mount Mitchell

ECONet

Our office hosts the North Carolina Environment and Climate Observing Network (ECONet). Learn more about the 46-site network here.

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ECONet Staff at Farm Animal Days 2025

Education

Learn about our state’s unique climate and weather and browse classroom-ready lessons and activities.

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A photo of instruments including a black globe thermometer at our Jockey's Ridge State Park ECONet station

Data + Products

Explore North Carolina’s climate and access climate data and climate-smart decision support tools with our suite of products.

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Our organic soil moisture monitoring station on a restored block at the Pocosin Lakes Wildlife Refuge.

Research

Our office conducts original research on many aspects of North Carolina’s climate and weather. Learn more here.

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Climate Blog

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A satellite image of Hurricane Isaias on Saturday, October 10, 2026

October 13, 2026

Rapid Reaction: Heavy Rain, Tornadoes Accompany Isaias in NC

After a more than four-month wait for the first hurricane of this Atlantic hurricane season, that milestone belonged to a storm with a familiar name for North Carolina, and it had impacts across the state last weekend. Six years after a Hurricane Isaias made landfall in southeastern North Carolina in August 2020, packing a fierce…
A photo of the landscape as seen from Grandfather Mountain in late September

October 02, 2026

Summer’s Long September Stay Gave Drought a Second Wind

As summer heat stretched into September, we saw limited rainfall relief, leading to drought expansion in the east. It was also a milestone month in the tropical Atlantic due to the lack of hurricane activity. Heat Holds On With summer-like temperatures in the first three weeks of the month, this was an overwhelmingly warm September…
A photo of ocean waves crashing against sandbags in Onslow County in October 2015

September 23, 2026

El Niño Check-Up: Waiting for Local Symptoms to Start

The hype around a “Super El Niño” became contagious this summer, and for good reason: the Pacific Ocean has been warming at a near-record rate, putting this on track to be perhaps the strongest El Niño we’ve ever seen. That has increased the likelihood of a significant and impactful event affecting North Carolina this fall…
A photo of a cloudy sky illuminated by the sunset in Raleigh

September 02, 2026

Heat Holds Strong and Drought Hangs On in August

This August featured several weeks of heat, plus a mix of heavy rain and dryness. That capped off a hot summer that saw the first signs of drought recovery. More Sizzling Summer Days Fueled by a long stretch of mid-month heat, this was one of the top five warmest Augusts on record in North Carolina.…
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