Early Saturday, May 23, Charlotte is rolling out of bed to light rain, patchy fog and temperatures in the low 60s, with visibility trimmed to about four miles. Expect a soggy start to the day, with showers and scattered thunderstorms likely on and off as humidity stays high and highs top out near 76°F. The main everyday headaches will be reduced visibility during the morning rush and pockets of localized heavy rain that can slow traffic and leave puddles on slow-draining streets.
This Afternoon Into Tonight
Patchy fog and on-and-off showers stick around through mid-morning, with more widespread showers and thunderstorms most likely by late morning and into the afternoon. Forecasters say the area could pick up 1 to 2 inches of rain today, with another three quarters of an inch to an inch possible tonight, so plan for standing water and slower traffic during peak commute hours. There is a conditional threat for a few strong wind-producing storms if low-level clouds erode and storms become surface based; otherwise most convection may remain elevated and less severe, according to NWS Greenville-Spartanburg.
Memorial Day Weekend
Sunday, May 24 stays humid, with rain likely in the morning and afternoon showers and thunderstorms possible, and highs near 81°F. Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 is forecast to be mostly cloudy, with showers and thunderstorms returning and highs near 83°F. The overall pattern keeps Gulf moisture streaming into the region through next week, so intermittent storms are expected each day. It is a good idea to have alternate indoor options in mind for outdoor plans, since conditions could change quickly through the holiday period, per NWS Greenville-Spartanburg.
Events And Travel
Large outdoor events, including the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday evening, may see rain delays and wet walking surfaces; attendees should bring rain gear and allow extra time for parking and exits. The Speedway schedule lists the race for Sunday, May 24 with a 6 p.m. start, and fans should check venue updates before leaving home (Charlotte Motor Speedway). On the roads, slow down in fog, use low-beam headlights and never drive through standing water, which are the simplest ways to stay out of trouble during today's downpours.
An earlier update went out on Friday; this version reflects a National Weather Service forecast update early Saturday that nudged rainfall totals higher for the next 18 hours. See our May 22 update for background on how the soggy weekend began.
Check the latest radar and any watches before traveling, and keep an eye on local forecasts if you have outdoor plans through Memorial Day. For the official forecast and the forecasters' full discussion, consult the National Weather Service in Greer.
