Charlotte woke up warm, muggy and already on alert early today. It was mostly cloudy and about 79°F at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, with showers and thunderstorms likely through the morning and pockets of patchy fog hanging around. A Flood Watch is in effect for the Charlotte area through 8 p.m. Thursday, and forecasters warn that slow-moving downpours could quickly lead to rapid ponding and flash flooding in low-lying and poor-drainage neighborhoods.
What To Expect Today
Showers and thunderstorms are expected before 1 p.m., with a high near 80°F and light northwest winds this afternoon. Forecasters say rainfall totals of 1–2 inches are possible across much of the metro, with isolated spots seeing higher amounts where storms train over the same area, according to the National Weather Service Greenville‑Spartanburg.
Flood Watch And Commute Impacts
The Flood Watch covers much of Charlotte through Thursday evening, and the usual trouble spots are in the spotlight again. Urban streets and underpasses can flood quickly after brief heavy bursts of rain, and low-clearance stretches of I‑77 and I‑40 are especially vulnerable when storms park overhead.
City officials are urging residents to sign up for CharMeck Alerts and to report blocked drains to 311. Local safety information and flood resources are available at the City of Charlotte Storm Center.
Tonight Through The Weekend
Patchy fog and additional showers and thunderstorms are possible Thursday night into Friday, with lows near 66°F. Scattered storm chances are expected to linger into Saturday.
By Sunday, a stronger summer ridge looks likely to build in, bringing a shift to drier, hotter conditions. Highs are expected to climb into the low to mid 90s early next week, trading flood concerns for classic Charlotte heat.
How To Stay Safe
Never drive through standing water, even if it looks shallow. Move vehicles off low ground if possible and avoid flooded underpasses while the Flood Watch is in effect. Keep phones and other devices charged, monitor local alerts, and call CharMeck 311 to report flooded roads or blocked drains until the watch ends Thursday night.
