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Low risk of severe weather Friday evening
Overnight storms may produce gusty winds and some heavy rain.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The risk of severe storms in the Charlotte area is low for Friday evening.
This latest round of storms comes only three days after a historic storm system that knocked the power out for hundreds of thousands of people across the Carolinas, caused widespread wind damage and even produced a deadly EF-1 tornado in Catawba County.
In good news, Friday’s weather will be very different than what the area saw on Tuesday. This system, for one, shouldn’t last as long, will not have as strong of winds, and rain totals will be far lower.
INTERACTIVE RADAR: See where the storm is right now
Winds
Wind gusts ranged from 45 to 55 mph and above through the day on Tuesday and lingered overnight. This Friday event will bring another windy day, but winds outside of any thunderstorms should range lower, closer to the 30 to 40 mph.
While those gusts are lower in intensity, that’s still strong enough to bring down some shallow-rooted trees since the soil is still saturated from Tuesday’s downpour.
RELATED: Weather IQ: What causes wind?
More rain and flood potential
Tuesday’s rain event was a record day for Charlotte, breaking the previous record set back in 1921.
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Right now, there is only a low potential for flooding, but flooding remains a concern as we consider the recent rainfall totals from previous systems. Rain should be less than an inch across the area, but there are some higher amounts that could peak up to 1 to 2 inches along heavier downpours. This event is not lasting as long and does not have the same widespread rain set up.
Meanwhile, area rivers and creeks levels will gradually drop below moderate and minor flood stage.
Severe storms
The high threat for severe storms, per the Storm Prediction Center, has dropped to low, as no instability is making it into our area. The only risk is from non-thunderstorm winds and gusty winds overnight.
Timing
Friday morning and early afternoon hours are expected to be dry. However, storms are timing out for the late afternoon and evening hours.
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