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- Evacuation orders lifted as fast-moving New Jersey wildfire burns
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Severe weather likely in the Carolinas on Monday
Much-needed rain will help firefighting efforts across the Carolinas, but there’s also a threat of severe weather.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The WCNC Charlotte Weather Impact Team is encouraging everyone in the Charlotte area to be prepared for a line of thunderstorms that could produce severe weather across the Carolinas on Monday, March 31.
Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich also emphasized the extreme fire danger on Friday and Saturday. Large wildfires are burning in both North Carolina and South Carolina, with hundreds of personnel working to control the flames as the fires scorched thousands of acres.
“It’s gonna help with the fires but it’s not going to put them out,” Panovich said. “These are massive fires, we’re talking thousands of acres. They won’t be put out by passing showers. They could be put out by steady, all-day rain, but that’s not what’s heading our way.”
When
Monday, primarily in the afternoon. Areas west of Charlotte will see rain and storms throughout Monday morning.
“Overnight Sunday into Monday morning, I expect the line of storms to develop to our west as we get into Monday morning around noon,” Panovich said.
Impact
The biggest impacts of Monday’s thunderstorms will be gusty winds and quarter-sized hail. An isolated tornado is possible as well, especially in areas along and east of I-77.
Gusty winds 60+ mph will be strong enough to knock down power lines and tree limbs. Even thunderstorms on Sunday will allow for gusty winds between 40 – 50 mph.
Need
Everyone should be weather aware and keep an eye on the latest forecast. Download the WCNC Charlotte app for your phone and the WCNC+ streaming app to watch the latest forecast from the Weather Impact Team.