Rumors of a second storm coming to Asheville are false, NWS says
ASHEVILLE - Rumors of another hurricane or tropical storm affecting Western North Carolina has spread by word of mouth and on social media from a still anxious WNC community - but the National Weather Service advised the public to calm down as much as possible.
It's true that weather is brewing in the tropical development area from the western Caribbean to the Gulf of Mexico. However, the NWS said it isn't expected to affect WNC. In fact, NWS Meteorologist Doug Outlaw told the Citizen Times that the system will "avoid the Carolinas completely."
"We're not expecting it at all to come to the Western Carolinas," Outlaw said. "There is a possibility a tropical system may form in the Caribbean late in the week, in the western Caribbean, and storm towards Florida into early next week, and then it's expected to move across the Florida peninsula."
Regardless of direction, National Hurricane Center maps show that the closest disturbance to the United States currently has only a 10% chance of forming.
More: 'A warzone:' Asheville Mayor talks Helene; Water restoration could be weeks away
Will Tropical Storm Kirk affect Western North Carolina?
Perhaps contributing to the rumor of further dangerous weather conditions in WNC is the development of Tropical Storm Kirk. However, as of Tuesday, Oct. 1, an NWS advisory said that despite predictions of development into a hurricane, Kirk was not expected to have any affect on land at all.
More: Asheville flooding: Are Grove Park Inn, Grand Bohemian open? What to know about historic spots
Asheville, NC weather this week
Following record breaking rainfall and catastrophic flooding in WNC resulting from Tropical Storm Helene, the coming week is expected to be, to the relief of North Carolinians, almost completely dry. Yesterday, Sept. 30, brought the last rain expected this week to the area. This morning, Oct. 1, predictions of foggy conditions were proven correct.
However, for the rest of the day and week, forecasts show mostly sunny or partly cloudy days, with a high of 77 degrees all week - and certainly no more hurricane conditions as the community continues to recover.
More: They came to Asheville for healing. Now, all they see is destruction.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Is another hurricane coming to WNC? Tropical Storm Kirk impact?
