The primary threats associated with these storms will be large hail and damaging winds.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — WCNC Charlotte’s Weather Impact Team wants everyone in the Charlotte area to be weather alert due to the risk of strong-to-severe thunderstorms Thursday evening.
These storms will have the potential for large hailstones, damaging winds and localized flooding. There’s also a chance of an isolated tornado, but the risk is extremely low.
WCNC Weather Impact Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich said this is a rare significant hail threat for areas northwest of Charlotte.
When
The first wave of storms started to move across the foothills and areas west of Charlotte around 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Impacted areas included Hickory, Lenoir, Morganton, Newton, Shelby and Valdese.
Around 4:30 p.m., a Severe Thunderstorm Watch was put into effect and will stay active through midnight.
The first round of storms look to end between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. but a secondary round will move through the area 11 p.m. through 2 a.m. The second round has a higher wind threat vs. a hail threat.
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Impact
The primary threats associated with these storms will be large hail and damaging winds, especially in areas of the mountains and foothills. The first round is focused on the hail risk with the second round focused on the wind risk.
There will also be heavy rain and isolated lightning. A brief tornado is possible, especially late but the risk is extremely low.
How to stay safe
Have a plan for any outdoor activities, as storms could disrupt any event during this time.
Panovich and the entire Weather Impact team will have regular updates throughout the day on air, on the WCNC Charlotte app and on WCNC+ which you can download on your TV and stream for free 24/7.
Worst places to be during severe storms:
Best place to be:
Contact Brad Panovich at [email protected] or follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Contact Brittany Van Voorhees at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Contact Bekah Birdsall at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Contact Chris Mulcahy at [email protected] and follow him on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
Contact Larry Sprinkle at [email protected] and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts that impact you from WCNC Charlotte, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.
