Can mountains actually break up severe weather? | Weather IQ

Added: 2026-05-27

[00:00:00]As the drought continues, many of you have been asking us why the rain in the mountains seems to fade out by the time it reaches the city and whether the mountains are keeping it out. WCNC Charlotte meteorologist Britney Van Vorhees is answering your questions in tonight's Weather IQ.

[00:00:15]We know the mountains can impact our weather in Charlotte. Think about the wedge, where cold air gets trapped and keeps us chilly and cool. or how rising air on the western slopes means more snow and believe it or not more rain falls annually in Boone compared to Charlotte. But there's one mountain related myth we have to bust and that's how mountains keep severe weather away.

[00:00:36]Let's raise your weather IQ. It is true that weaker cold fronts can fall apart as they approach the Appalachins due to higher terrain, but this does not happen with every storm. In some instances, the mountains can actually make storms stronger, especially during the summertime. Thanks to plenty of heat and humidity combined with the Lee trough, the Piedmont can experience more severe weather in the form of down bursts, wet micro bursts, and heavy rainfall. The Lee trough is caused by air being forced over the mountaintop where downslope flow eventually leads to more speed and atmospheric spin. This results in an area of low pressure to form. Once on the lee side of the mountains, the trough draws warm and moist air from the south, which fuels new storms and stronger storms. Even though tornadoes aren't as common in the Carolinas compared to other southern states, winds rapidly changing with direction and height enhances local wind shear. This means when a lee trough is present, we often have a higher risk for tornadoes.

[00:01:33]With your weather IQ, I'm meteorologist Britney Van Borhees.