North Carolina tornado warnings
There are no tornado warnings in North Carolina right now. The last one was issued on November 6, 2026.
A tornado has been seen or detected by radar, and the people inside the warning area should take shelter now.
Updated from the National Weather Service · lists refresh hourly; the live map loads current alerts directly from the NWS
Active tornado warnings in North Carolina
None right now. Other active alerts in North Carolina: 6 (see the North Carolina alerts page).
Tornado Warnings in North Carolina by year
North Carolina averaged 102.9 tornado warnings per year from 2016 to 2025, and has had 69 so far in 2026. The most recent was issued on November 6, 2026.
Counties with the most tornado warnings
| County | 2016–2025 |
|---|---|
| Brunswick County | 71 |
| Columbus County | 56 |
| Craven County | 47 |
| Pender County | 44 |
| Onslow County | 41 |
| Beaufort County | 40 |
| Jones County | 39 |
| Bladen County | 39 |
| New Hanover County | 37 |
| Pitt County | 36 |
What a tornado warning means
A tornado warning is the most urgent alert the National Weather Service issues for severe storms. It means a tornado is happening or is about to happen, either because a spotter or the public has seen one or because Doppler radar shows strong rotation that can produce one within minutes.
More about tornado warnings and the national map →
What to do
- Go to a basement or storm shelter right away. If you have none, use a small interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
- Protect your head and neck with your arms, a helmet, a mattress or heavy blankets.
- Leave mobile homes and vehicles for a sturdy building if you can reach one safely.
- Keep a phone or weather radio with you to know when the warning ends.
More North Carolina alerts
- Tornado Watches
- Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
- Flash Flood Warnings
- Flood Warnings
- Flood Watches
- Winter Storm Warnings
- Winter Storm Watches
- Winter Weather Advisories
- Cold Weather Advisories
- Freeze Warnings
- Frost Advisories
- Heat Advisories
- Extreme Heat Warnings
- High Wind Warnings
- Wind Advisories
- Red Flag Warnings
- Dense Fog Advisories
- Tropical Storm Warnings
- All North Carolina alerts