National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

National Weather Service Mission:

Provide weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy. 

 

NWS Wilmington, NC Responsibilities:

The NWS Forecast Office in Wilmington, NC is open 24/7/365 and covers 6 counties in southeast North Carolina, 8 counties in northeast South Carolina, and the nearby Atlantic waters from the South Santee River in SC north to Surf City, NC out to 20 NM offshore (as shown in the image below). A variety of observational and forecast products are routinely issued, including for specialized user groups (e.g., aviation, marine, fire, hydro, climate). In addition, watches, warnings and advisories are issued as needed for hazardous weather. Decision support services are also provided to core partners (e.g., government, military, and emergency management) for public safety. Check out our StoryMapFAQ, and newsletters for more information about our office!

Map of counties in southeastern NC and northeastern SC with those covered by the Wilmington forecast office highlighted.

 

NWS Wilmington, NC Staff

 

Management/Administration

Lead Meteorologists

Steve Pfaff (Meteorologist-in-Charge) Tim Armstrong
Vacant (Warning Coordination Meteorologist) Bob Bright
Reid Hawkins (Science and Operations Officer) Doug Hoehler
Rick Neuherz (Senior Service Hydrologist) Terry Lebo
Vacant (Electronic Systems Analyst) Matt Scalora
Carl Morgan (Information Technology Officer)  
Vacant (Administrative Support Assistant)

Meteorologists

Vacant (Observations Program Leader) Mark Bacon
Vacant (Facilities Engineering Technician)
Stephen Keebler

 

Rachel Gross-Zouzias

Electronics Technicians

Jordan Baker
Chris McDermott Ian Boatman
Steve Solana Vicky Oliva
  Lauren Warner
  Adam Weiner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NWS Wilmington, NC Facts/History

  • Wilmington, NC is the most populous city covered by our office and North Carolina's 8th largest city with a 2020 population of 115,451
  • Florence, SC is the second most populous city covered by our office and South Carolina's 10th largest city with a 2020 population of 39,816
  • U.S. Army Signal Corps began sporadic snowfall observations in Wilmington, NC on December 1, 1870
  • Continuous weather observations (the longest continuous record in the state of North Carolina) began in downtown Wilmington on April 1, 1874
  • The current office adjacent to the Wilmington, NC (ILM) Airport began operations on October 23, 1994
  • Our Weather Surveillance Radar (WSR)-88D (doppler) radar located in Shallotte, NC became operational in July 1995
  • Click here to learn more about the history of the U.S. Weather Bureau/National Weather Service office in Wilmington, NC