High Wind — Watauga, North Carolina

2025-12-29 to 2025-12-30 · Watauga, North Carolina

Event narrative

Winds gusted between 59 and 71 mph occurred across parts of Watauga County from the afternoon on the 29th through the early morning hours on the 30th. The strongest gusts were concentrated around the areas of Boone and Blowing Rock.

Wider weather episode

High winds occurred after the passage of a strong cold front as a pressure gradient increased between a departing low pressure system and a building high pressure system. Gusts of roughly 60 to 70 mph were measured by equipment across the northwest mountains of North Carolina between the late afternoon on the 29th through the pre-dawn hours of the 30th. The strongest measured gust, 71 mph, occurred near Blowing Rock in Watauga County late in the evening on the 29th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1305358. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.