There is an elevated risk Wednesday evening for heavy rain across the Western North Carolina region. The National Weather Service forecasts heavy rain is possible from Macon County east, past Statesville. The region faces marginal risk for severe weather, with lower impacts near Lenoir, heading east.
Storms are expected to develop over the NC mountains on Wednesday afternoon and then spread eastward and southward with the potential to linger in the east, according to NWS.
AshevilleWX meteorologist Hunter Ward explains that over two inches of precipitation are potentially expected in parts of Asheville before sunset.
“It will certainly be hit or miss, but where storms do develop, heavy amounts of rain will fall,” Ward posted on Twitter. “Have a plan in place. Your stream or river might not rise, but it’s always good to think over your game plan for flooding.”
I am becoming increasingly concerned about isolated flash flooding around portions of the Asheville and WNC area this afternoon as storms roll through. Some locations won’t see any rainfall and other locations could get over 2” of precipitation before sunset. It will certainly… pic.twitter.com/EDQukTaXOF
— AshevilleWX (@Hvward) July 9, 2025
These storms come as central North Carolina is still reeling from Tropical Storm Chantal on Sunday, which caused flash floods, tornadoes, power outages and road closures, killing at least two people.