NC News Nov. 10, 2026

Cold Blast Could Bring Mountain Snow

Western North Carolina will swing from afternoons near 70 this week to a cold blast that could drop the season’s first accumulating snow on the mountains by the weekend.

The National Weather Service says sunshine and temperatures 5 to 10 degrees above normal will hold through Veterans Day, with Asheville in the upper 60s. A strong cold front arrives Thursday with light rain and the coldest air of the fall.

Behind it, Asheville’s high drops to about 44 on Friday, with overnight lows in the upper 20s through the weekend. Accumulating snow is most likely above 3,500 feet along the Tennessee border.

Overall, North Carolina’s winter outlook under a Super El Niño favors milder temperatures, above-average precipitation, and one or two wintry mix or snow events, with no heavy snowfall guarantees.

NC State Drones and Robots Target Cotton Gaps

NC State University researchers are testing drones, autonomous ground robots, and artificial intelligence to help cotton growers fill costly plant gaps known as skips.

Led by biological and agricultural engineering assistant professor Frank Bai, the team maps fields from the air at the Sandhills Research Station.

A drone captures high-resolution images that AI analyzes to pinpoint skips longer than 3 feet. Precise GPS coordinates then guide a self-driving robot to drop seeds only into empty spots, avoiding damage to existing plants and the high cost of full replanting.

Cotton specialist Guy Collins noted the approach could prove valuable, as seed costs exceed $100 per acre and timely replanting is difficult. The technology also supports broader plant phenotyping work aimed at breeding more resilient crops.

Veterans Day Free Meals Offered across NC

Restaurants across North Carolina are offering free meals and discounts to veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Popular chains including Applebee’s, Chili’s, Golden Corral, IHOP, and Red Robin are participating, with many requiring proof of service.

Offers range from free entrées and burgers to buffet meals and specialty pancakes. Applebee’s provides a complimentary full-size entrée from a special menu, while Golden Corral serves a free buffet from 4 p.m. onward at participating locations. IHOP is giving away its Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake combo.

Additional deals include free wings at Buffalo Wild Wings, a free combo card at Freddy’s, and a free tall brewed coffee at Starbucks, also open to military spouses. Diners should confirm local participation and hours, as availability can vary by restaurant. Find more deals here.