Residents in Charlotte, North Carolina, and surrounding areas might want to keep an eye on the sky as the National Weather Service is forecasting a mix of hot, sunny days with sporadic, potentially severe thunderstorms rolling in, according to NWS. The NWS update indicates the possibility of strong storms bringing with it the chance of damaging winds and even the chance, albeit small, of hail, especially this afternoon and evening.
While today's conditions include a heat index soaring above 100°F, after 4 pm, the chance of showers and thunderstorms increases to 30 percent. At the time of their last update at 6:52 am EDT, the NWS was reporting fair conditions with temperatures at 74°F and rising, but Charlotteans should expect a high near 95°F before any potential relief from the heat thanks to thunderstorms this evening. Precipitation amounts should generally be less than a tenth of an inch, though higher amounts can occur where storms hit.
Looking ahead at the weekend forecast, both Saturday and Sunday mirror today's predictions of sunny days accented by afternoon thunderstorms with similar chances for showers and the signs of high heat indexes. Folks planning outdoor activities should stay updated on weather conditions as these forecasts can rapidly change, and storms in the region have been known to intensify quickly.
The hazardous weather outlook released by the National Weather Service extends to regions beyond Charlotte encompassing northeast Georgia, Piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina, and Upstate South Carolina. According to the outlook, the upcoming week post-Thursday seems to offer some respite from the current stormy pattern, with no imminent hazardous weather anticipated at the time.
The NWS also notes that although hazardous weather isn't foreseen for the week following Thursday, residents should continue to check for updates as the weather situation can evolve. Spotter information is not currently requested by the NWS, suggesting that while conditions may turn disagreeable, there is not yet an expectation for public assistance in weather monitoring.
