- State of Emergency in North Carolina ahead of Hurricane Helene
- Storms possible today; Flooding rains start in the Mountains tonight
- Helene becomes a hurricane and is expected to intensify as it moves toward Florida
- Duke Energy preparing for Hurricane Helene, urges others to do the same
- Weather Aware: The potential impacts of Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas
Storms possible today; Flooding rains start in the Mountains tonight
Helene’s impacts begin Thursday night: Heavy rain and storms likely Thursday into Friday
CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
Today
Partly to mostly cloudy. There will be a chance for a few showers ithis morning and afternoon, but rain will be more likely closer to the Mountains. More scattered rain possible overnight into Thursday morning. Highs in the low 80s.
Thursday
Showers are possible in the morning with rain and a few storms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Heavy rain is likely Thursday night.
Friday
Rain, heavy a times, and high winds throughout the morning into afternoon. Winds 30-50 mph. Rain totals 4-6″ possible locally with up to 10″+ in the Mountains. Highs in the upper 70s.
Tropical update and Charlotte impacts
Tropical Storm Helene will become a hurricane todau and is forecast to make landfall in Florida as a major hurricane on Thursday.
As it presses north it will bring widespread rain and an enhanced flood threat.
- Flooding is the number one concern
- A range of 5-10″ of rain could fall this week (more to west)
- Winds gusting 30-50+ mph on Friday around the Greater Charlotte area
The center of Helene will be centered southwest of Charlotte and that is where the strongest winds will be on Friday morning. Thursday and Friday will average wind gusts around 20 mph but could double and triple that number to start the day Friday.
The Weekend:
Barring any set backs… Saturday looks to be the best day of the week. A few showers are possible early morning but the afternoon looks to be partly sunny and dry. A few showers possible again during the evening, but most of the day is trending dry.
Sunday will have another chance for showers and even a thunderstorm with highs near 80. Still nothing widespread like what we will see Thursday and Friday.
Raise your Weather IQ
WCNC Charlotte’s Weather IQ YouTube channel gives detailed explainers from the WCNC Charlotte meteorologists to help you learn and understand weather, climate and science. Watch previous stories where you can raise your Weather IQ in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.
Stay connected to the WCNC Charlotte Weather Team:
Contact Brad Panovich at bpanovich@wcnc.com or follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Contact Larry Sprinkle at lsprinkle@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Contact Chris Mulcahy at cmulcahy@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
Contact Brittany Van Voorhees at bvanvoorhe@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Contact KJ Jacobs at kjacobs3@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.