Last Updated on September 4, 2026 3:33 pm
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch 654 for a large swath of North Carolina, including Watauga County, in effect until 10 p.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 4.
The watch covers dozens of counties across central, northern and eastern North Carolina, including Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Surry, Stokes and Watauga in the High Country's coverage area.
The National Weather Service office in Blacksburg has also updated its Hazardous Weather Outlook to reflect the watch, warning that isolated strong to severe storms are possible through this afternoon and evening, with damaging winds as the primary hazard. Isolated strong to severe storms remain possible again Saturday afternoon and evening, with heavy rainfall raising the risk of urban, small stream and flash flooding.
Spotter activation is not expected at this time. Residents are encouraged to monitor NOAA Weather Radio or weather.gov for updates as the watch progresses.
