Charlotte woke up clear and comfy near 60°F, but the Queen City will be cooking into the mid-80s this afternoon (Saturday, April 25) as a warm southwest flow cranks up the heat. Southwest winds will strengthen through the day, with gusts near 20 mph, and scattered showers plus a few thunderstorms are expected to pop late in the afternoon into the evening. Most storms are expected to stay below severe limits, but brief heavy downpours and lightning could still put a dent in outdoor plans.
Afternoon Heat And Storm Window
By mid to late afternoon, highs should top out near 86°F as the atmosphere warms up. A few rain showers may start to move in between roughly 4 and 5 p.m., with rain chances climbing as the commute gets going. Expect about a 30–40% chance of scattered showers and isolated storms later in the day. Southwest winds around 2–10 mph will pick up through the afternoon, with some gusts reaching 20 mph, so a light layer is not a bad idea if you will be outside in those on-and-off breezes.
Tonight Into Sunday
Showers and thunderstorms are most likely to roll through Saturday night, with rain lingering into the overnight hours and lows settling around 60°F. Most areas should see new rainfall totals between one tenth and one quarter of an inch, though a few pockets could squeeze out higher amounts. Widespread flooding is not expected. Sunday looks drier and a bit cooler, with partly sunny skies, a high near 80°F, and north winds that could gust into the low 20s.
Local Impacts
Plan on a wet and breezy evening commute, and keep those late afternoon and evening outdoor plans flexible. Parks, patios and youth sports running toward sunset may have to dodge showers or pause for lightning. The National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg notes that this round of rain should help chip away at ongoing drought conditions, and there are currently no watches or warnings in effect for the Charlotte area. The main issue is small, localized downpours instead of widespread severe weather, so grab the rain gear and steer clear of standing water on the roads.
Looking Ahead
High pressure ridging returns Monday with generally dry and milder weather in place. After that, a series of fronts could bring anything from spotty showers to more widespread thunderstorms next week, although the exact timing is still uncertain. Expect another bump up in rain chances Tuesday and Wednesday, and check for updated forecasts before travel or outdoor events later in the week. We will be watching for shifts in the timing or intensity and will update if things start to trend stronger.
Earlier Coverage
We first highlighted this warming trend and weekend storm setup in our April 2 forecast. For a broader look at the same frontal system and how the pattern has evolved into today, see how this warmup first showed up on our radar.
