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Stay Weather Aware: Tropical Storm Helene officially forms
Any rain in the next few days will soak the ground ahead of the tropical moisture, which will move in later this week. Stay weather aware for these impacts.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A cold front moving in from the northwest will bring scattered showers and a few storms to the Charlotte area on Tuesday and Wednesday. That comes ahead of a tropical system that is expected to impact the Charlotte area in the coming days.
When will the Carolinas see the impact?
Any rain in the next few days will soak the ground ahead of the tropical moisture, which will move in on Thursday into Friday. As of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Tropical Storm Helen had officially formed in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm has the potential to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane as Helene, WCNC Weather Impact Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich said. It’s expected to make landfall Thursday in the Big Bend area of Florida as a hurricane on Thursday night.
Friday will be the worst day for the Carolinas, Panovich said, with five to 10 inches of rain in the mountains and foothills and four to five across the Piedmont region. Most of this is forecast to fall at a fast pace on Friday, but there will be rain impacts outside of Friday through the weekend.
What impacts to expect
Expect rain totals up to 10 inches in the mountains and up to five in the Charlotte area, as well as a chance of tropical storm force winds, up to 40 miles per hour on Friday. Panovich said this could lead to tree and power line issues on Friday.
Panovich said we should see better weather ahead for the weekend, as the wind and rain will move out fairly quickly.
What you need to know to stay safe
In the event of a severe storm, stay Weather Aware by:
- Seeking shelters indoors away from lightning and gusty winds
- Watching for flooded creeks and streams
- If you encounter a flooded roadway: turn around, don’t drown
- Monitoring radar for quick-moving thunderstorms that could disrupt outdoor plans
When temperatures get high in the Carolinas, it’s important to stay Weather Aware by:
- Limiting your time outside/take breaks
- Staying hydrated
- Seeking shade when available
- Checking on the elderly and pets