Thunderstorms
A thunderstorm is a storm that contains both thunder and lightning. They can produce flash flooding, gusty winds, hail, and even tornadoes. The southern part of the United States has the highest number of average annual thunderstorms, especially those states located near the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.
Source: Southern Region Headquarters | NWS | NOAA
North Carolina typically sees between 50 and 60 thunderstorms a year, depending on the location within the state. Most of the thunderstorm activity is observed during the summer months.
Did You Know?
The largest hailstone recorded in the state of North Carolina had a diameter of 4.50”, or roughly the size of a grapefruit. There are multiple reports of hailstones this size across the state; some of the most recent were reported in May 1998 (Montgomery and Rowan counties) and May 2000 (Burke County).