Weekly swim report · August 21, 2026
North Carolina swim report
On August 21, 2026 the warmest USGS water reading in North Carolina was 88°F at FALLS LAKE ABOVE DAM NR FALLS, NC; 21 water-related NWS hazards are active.
Warmest water
The 5 warmest of 33 sensors reporting a water temperature in North Carolina today. Station names open the official monitoring page.
- #1FALLS LAKE ABOVE DAM NR FALLS, NCUSGS gauge88°F 31°C9 hrs ago
- #287°F 31°C8 hrs ago
- #3ROANOKE RIVER AT JAMESVILLE, NCUSGS gauge87°F 31°C9 hrs ago
- #487°F 31°C9 hrs ago
- #587°F 30°C8 hrs ago
Active hazards in North Carolina
Alerts cover counties or forecast zones — an alert for an area does not mean every river or beach inside it is affected. Times are local to the issuing office.
- Stay outFlash Flood Warning
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Cumberland, NC; Sampson, NC.
NWS Raleigh NC · until Aug 21, 7:30 PM
- Stay outSevere Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Sampson, NC.
NWS Raleigh NC · until Aug 21, 4:00 PM
- Stay outSevere Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Sampson, NC.
NWS Raleigh NC · until Aug 21, 4:15 PM
- Stay outSevere Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Brunswick, NC; New Hanover, NC; Pender, NC.
NWS Wilmington NC · until Aug 21, 4:00 PM
- Stay outSevere Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Bladen, NC; Columbus, NC; Robeson, NC; Dillon, SC; Horry, SC.
NWS Wilmington NC · until Aug 21, 4:15 PM
- Stay outSevere Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Bladen, NC.
NWS Wilmington NC · until Aug 21, 4:00 PM
- CautionFlood Advisory
A Flood Advisory is in effect for Sampson, NC; Wayne, NC.
NWS Raleigh NC · until Aug 21, 7:00 PM
- CautionFlood Advisory
A Flood Advisory is in effect for Cumberland, NC.
NWS Raleigh NC · until Aug 21, 5:45 PM
- CautionFlood Advisory
A Flood Advisory is in effect for Jones, NC; Onslow, NC.
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC · until Aug 21, 4:15 PM
- CautionFlood Watch
A Flood Watch is in effect for Alamance; Orange; Durham; Randolph; Chatham; Wake; Johnston; Wilson; Stanly; Montgomery; Moore; Lee; Harnett; Wayne; Richmond; Scotland; Hoke; Cumberland; Sampson.
NWS Raleigh NC · until Aug 22, 8:00 AM
- CautionFlood Watch
A Flood Watch is in effect for Anson.
NWS Raleigh NC · until Aug 22, 8:00 AM
- CautionFlood Watch
A Flood Watch is in effect for Pitt; Greene; Beaufort; Duplin; Lenoir; Jones; Pamlico; Northern Craven; Southern Craven; Inland Onslow.
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC · until Aug 22, 8:00 AM
- CautionHeat Advisory
A Heat Advisory is in effect for West Carteret; East Carteret; Coastal Onslow.
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC · until Aug 21, 8:00 PM
- CautionHeat Advisory
A Heat Advisory is in effect for Columbus; Inland Pender; Coastal Pender; Inland New Hanover; Coastal New Hanover; Inland Brunswick; Coastal Brunswick; Coastal Horry; Inland Georgetown; Coastal Georgetown; Central Horry; Northern Horry.
NWS Wilmington NC · until Aug 21, 8:00 PM
- CautionSevere Thunderstorm Watch
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Bladen, NC; Brunswick, NC; Columbus, NC; New Hanover, NC; Pender, NC; Robeson, NC; Darlington, SC; Dillon, SC; Florence, SC; Georgetown, SC; Horry, SC; Marion, SC; Marlboro, SC; Williamsburg, SC.
NWS Wilmington NC · until Aug 21, 9:00 PM
- CautionSevere Thunderstorm Watch
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Cabarrus, NC; Cleveland, NC; Gaston, NC; Lincoln, NC; Mecklenburg, NC; Union, NC; Abbeville, SC; Cherokee, SC; Chester, SC; Greenwood, SC; Laurens, SC; Spartanburg, SC; Union, SC; York, SC.
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC · until Aug 21, 9:00 PM
- CautionSevere Thunderstorm Watch
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Craven, NC; Duplin, NC; Jones, NC; Lenoir, NC; Onslow, NC; Pamlico, NC.
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC · until Aug 21, 9:00 PM
- CautionSevere Thunderstorm Watch
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Anson, NC; Cumberland, NC; Harnett, NC; Hoke, NC; Johnston, NC; Lee, NC; Montgomery, NC; Moore, NC; Richmond, NC; Sampson, NC; Scotland, NC; Stanly, NC; Wayne, NC.
NWS Raleigh NC · until Aug 21, 9:00 PM
- Heads-upSpecial Weather Statement
A Special Weather Statement is in effect for Mecklenburg.
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
- Heads-upSpecial Weather Statement
A Special Weather Statement is in effect for Wayne; Sampson.
NWS Raleigh NC
- Heads-upSpecial Weather Statement
A Special Weather Statement is in effect for Mecklenburg; York.
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Where to swim in North Carolina
The most-reviewed, well-rated water destinations in North Carolina — check each one’s live conditions before you go.
4.5(6,979)Carolina Beach Boardwalk
Boardwalk hugging a sandy beach with kid-friendly rides & snack bars, plus concerts & fireworks.
4.7(5,928)Kure Beach Pier
Built in 1923, Kure Beach Pier is the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic Coast. Standing 26 feet above the ocean and extending 711 feet into the Atlantic, this family-owned pier offers fishing for Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, flounder, and bluefish — no fishing license required. The pier house is open 24 hours daily from Good Friday through Thanksgiving and features a tackle shop, ice cream vendors, an arcade, and spectators can stroll for free.
4.7(4,737)Lake Johnson Park
Recreation area with 5.4 miles of trails around a lake, plus boat rentals, picnic areas & fishing.
4.7(4,380)Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Scenic destination for picnicking, hiking & mountain biking, plus beaches, swimming & boat launches.
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Conditions are for general information only and can change quickly. Always judge the water in person and follow posted advisories and local guidance before swimming or paddling.