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North Carolina events › Things to Do › Nature and Conditions
Where to learn about North Carolina’s plants and animals, when hurricane season is, which official pages show road and weather conditions today, and where to find the state’s scenic byways.
- Hurricane SeasonJun 1 – Nov 30per ReadyNC
- Peak SeasonMid-Aug – Late Octper ReadyNC
- Scenic Byways62per NCDOT
- CheckedNov 22026
Learn: Plants and Animals
Two pages on this site cover what lives here and how to stay safe around it:
| Page | Covers |
|---|---|
| Wildlife | Bears, elk, alligators, snakes, sea turtles and safety. |
| Wildflowers and Plants | Wildflowers and plants. |
| Best Time for Fall Color | A short answer page on fall color timing. |
Weather and Seasons
We do not print our own weather averages. For hazards, the state’s emergency management site, ReadyNC, says the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak from mid-August to late October. It also says every part of the state, from the coast to the mountains, has been affected by hurricanes in the past 20 years. If you are visiting the coast or the mountains in that window, check the forecast and ReadyNC before you leave.
For long-term climate data by region, use the State Climate Office of North Carolina, which we link but have not summarized here.
Conditions Now
These are the official pages to check on the day. We link to them rather than copy them, because road and weather status change by the hour.
| Official Page | Use It For | Last Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Parkway: Road Status and Closures | Parkway closures from weather, construction and emergencies. The page says closures are listed by gate and shows the time the status was updated. | Nov 2, 2026 |
| DriveNC | The state transportation department’s traffic and travel site, with a map and route alerts you can sign up for. | Nov 2, 2026 |
| ReadyNC: Hurricanes | Hurricane categories, a before-during-after checklist, and links to the hurricane guide. | Nov 2, 2026 |
We have not embedded any webcams or live feeds. This site shows no travel alert banner today; any banner we add carries a start and end date and hides itself after it.
Scenic Drives
NCDOT says North Carolina has 62 scenic byways, chosen as safe and interesting alternatives to faster highways. It publishes a free guidebook (the download is large, about 49 MB, per its page) and an interactive map. Our Blue Ridge Parkway Weekend itinerary covers one of the best-known routes, and the drive times page helps you plan the miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is hurricane season in North Carolina?
The Atlantic season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak from mid-August to late October, according to ReadyNC.
How many scenic byways does North Carolina have?
62, according to the NCDOT scenic byways page.
Where do I check if the Blue Ridge Parkway is open?
On the National Park Service road status page linked above. It lists closures by gate and is updated through the day.
See also Travel Alerts and Winter Driving, with the state’s winter driving checklist, and the guides to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and Appalachian Trail in North Carolina.
Sources
- ReadyNC: Hurricanes (no date printed)
- NPS: Blue Ridge Parkway Road Status and Closures (status shown as of Nov 2, 2026)
- DriveNC (no date printed)
- NCDOT: North Carolina Byways (no date printed)
Read on November 2, 2026. We do not give medical or health advice; hazard guidance is the agencies' own. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Nature and Conditions”, itsnorthcarolina.com/things-to-do/nature-and-conditions/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.