Local NWS meteorologist gives support on-site of NC wildfires

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — With wildfires continuing to rage in the western Carolinas, weather plays a critical role in terms of getting it under control.

One meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Wilmington is currently working on the front lines.

Terry Lebo is a Incident Meteorologist or IMET. Lebo was deployed on November 3 to give support for the Boteler Fire in the mountains.

The job includes being on site to provide weather reports and warning support to the men and women fighting the wildfires. The forecasts are using for operation reasons and for safety.

“Since September 1, Asheville is running like 6 1/2 inches below normal for rainfall,” Lebo said. “It’s just bone dry out here. I mean it just reminds me of when I’m out west. That’s how dry it is.”

He says he is able to launch weather balloons to get vital information.

He says conditions have not improved since he has been there with the lack of rain. Lebo adds that the area would need at least a half to a inch of rain to ease the fires down.

Lebo plans to return after a 2 week deployment as another meteorologist will take his place for 2 weeks until the fires are completely out.