Directly downwind of the #wildfires in #Minnesota, the air quality is DREADFUL. My friend Tom snapped this picture of the mid-morning sun in Duluth, MN. AQI readings are in the 300-600 range. (Anything over 100 is unhealthy.) @wbtv.com @cbsnews.com

Wednesday 7/15 @wbtv.com #FirstAlert #instacast — Oppressive heat returns! #NCwx #SCwx

We may see some smoke in our skies, blowing off the fires burning in Minnesota and Canada...but that smoke will mostly be elevated in the atmosphere. Surface level smoke will be more of a problem for the Great Lakes and the northeastern US, where air quality will deteriorate today.

Another way to look at the all-or-nothing rainfall pattern recently: 7-day rainfall is 25%-50% of normal in some spots (orange and red), or 2 times average in others (purple). The good news is that some of those purple spots are where we most need help with the drought! #NCwx #SCwx

Tuesday 7/14 @wbtv.com #FirstAlert #instacast — One more day of cool-ish weather. #NCwx #SCwx

The rainfall pattern has been all-or-nothing over the last few days — just look at the rainfall totals over the last 72 hours! Every drop helps while we're in a drought, but it sure would be nice if Mother Nature spread this around a bit... @wbtv.com #NCwx #SCwx

This downpour just to the northeast of Mooresville is essentially parked in place over east-central Iredell county and northwestern Rowan county. I'm concerned about flooding here until this thing rains itself out. #NCwx #SCwx

Monday 7/13 @wbtv.com #FirstAlert #instacast — Rain and potential flooding today! #NCwx #SCwx

We saw quite a bit of rain overnight into early this morning, so be prepared for wet roads on the morning commute! More showers and storms later today, including the potential for localized flooding. Details on @wbtv.com this morning! #NCwx #SCwx

Sunday 7/12 @wbtv.com #FirstAlert #instacast — Strong storms possible again today! #NCwx #SCwx

Saturday @wbtv.com #FirstAlert #instacast — 60 seconds on the threat of more severe storms this weekend. #NCwx #SCwx

Friday 7/10 @wbtv.com #FirstAlert #instacast — Higher storm chances through the weekend! #NCwx #SCwx

Storm chances increasing as we head into the weekend. We definitely need the rain, but it comes with a low-end risk of some storms becoming severe. Damaging winds will be the main threat, and we'll also be watching for localized flooding. @wbtv.com #NCwx #SCwx

Got out of the office for a while today to work on a story about solar energy, and met this happy girl in the process.

Thursday 7/9 @wbtv.com #FirstAlert #instacast — hot and muggy again, then changed this weekend! #NCwx #SCwx

The research team at Colorado State University released its revised 2026 Atlantic hurricane season forecast. The new forecast shows even fewer named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes. This largely the influence of the strengthening El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean. @wbtv.com #NCwx #SCwx

Wednesday 7/8 @wbtv.com #FirstAlert #instacast — sticky and stormy, but some relief in sight! #NCwx #SCwx

Another hazy, hot and humid day in store...and more of the same tomorrow and Friday. Changes in store this weekend! A much better chance of showers and thunderstorms, so be flexible with outdoor plans. Probably a good idea to have an indoor alternative in mind. @wbtv.com #NCwx #SCwx

Tuesday 7/7 @wbtv.com #FirstAlert #instacast — Hot (again). Humid (again). Stormy (again). #NCwx #SCwx

Heat? Not going anywhere. Humidity? Sticking around. Storms? Popping up every afternoon. Yep, it's July in the Carolinas. @wbtv.com #NCwx #SCwx

Leo is ready for USA-Belgium

Monday 7/6 @wbtv.com #FirstAlert #instacast — hot and stormy to start the week. #NCwx #SCwx

Still hot, still sticky today. Like yesterday, we'll see afternoon and evening thunderstorms, some of which could be strong to severe. It's a low-end threat of both damaging winds and localized flooding — stay weather-aware this afternoon! @wbtv.com #NCwx #SCwx

Friday 7/3 @wbtv.com #FirstAlert #instacast — Dangerously hot weather for 4th of July weekend! #NCwx #SCwx

#FirstAlert — The record high of 99° in Charlotte is likely going to be broken today, and the heat risk will stay in the "extreme" category (purple on the map) through early next week! Stay hydrated, take plenty of breaks, and be safe over the 4th of July weekend! @wbtv.com #NCwx #SCwx

A few storms out there this afternoon, feeding on the heat and humidity. #NCwx #SCwx

Thursday 7/2 @wbtv.com #FirstAlert #instacast — extreme #heat through the holiday weekend! #NCwx #SCwx

#FirstAlert — Heat Advisory today from noon through 8pm for most of the @wbtv.com viewing area. Highs near 100° are bad enough, but the heat index will reach up to around 107°! Stay hydrated, take breaks, and check the elderly and other with health-related heat sensitivity! #NCwx #SCwx

It's here...your dog's least-favorite holiday of the year! Here are some tips to reduce your fur-friend's level of stress through Independence Day weekend. @wbtv.com #NCwx #SCwx

Wednesday 7/1 @wbtv_news #FirstAlert #instacast — extreme heat to start July! #NCwx #SCwx