Last Update: 04/05/2026 at 2:50 PM EST
Southeast Faces Stronger Storm Risk
Coverage from WRAL, Inside Climate News, and others
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Latest Article
03/17
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Executive Summary
Rising atmospheric instability and warmer, moister air are making severe thunderstorm outbreaks more likely across the Southeast, especially North Carolina.
- Climate Central found eastern US atmospheric instability has risen since 1979
- North Carolina now sees about 30 to 40 more high instability days each year
- High CAPE days in parts of the eastern US have increased by 10 to 15 during peak seasons
- Warmer air holds more moisture, adding energy for stronger thunderstorms
- Wind shear still helps determine whether storms become tornado-producing
- NOAA data show severe thunderstorms account for nearly half of US billion dollar weather disasters since 1980
- The US had nearly six times more billion dollar severe storm events from 2001 to 2022 than in the prior two decades
Quick Facts
- What: Rising instability is increasing severe storm potential
- Where: The Southeast and eastern United States
- Why: Warmer, moister air fuels stronger thunderstorms
- Who: Climate Central researchers and meteorologists
- When: Since 1979 and into the present
Coverage Timeline: 2 Days
Featured Article
Climate Central researchers report rising atmospheric instability and greater severe storm potential across the Southeast since 1979.
Additional Articles
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US scientists examine climate linked tornado patterns during recent weeks across the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast.
Researchers report rising atmospheric instability since 1979 increasing severe storm potential in the eastern United States including North Carolina.