Heavy, flooding rain and highs all morning

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —

Hurricane Helene

Helene made landfall around 11:10 p.m. about 10 miles east of Perry, Florida, as a Category 4 major hurricane (winds 140 mph). 

Record rainfall fell in Charlotte Thursday with 4.23 inches at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, as of 11 p.m. This total will likely increase before midnight allowing the actual new record to be much higher.

RELATED: Weather IQ: The facts about flash flooding

This morning will have the most hazardous conditions associated with Helene, as well as leftover impacts from the stalled front. We’ll see the highest risk for tornadoes, highest winds, and heaviest rainfall, so also the worst flash flooding potential.

Winds in Charlotte could gust near 50 mph with even stronger winds toward the mountains and foothills. Conditions will improve drastically throughout the day, although scattered power outages will be likely. Watch for flooded and closed roadways, too, due to multiple trees falling and significant flooding.

Please stay updated and weather aware.

Late Thursday night, the Red Cross confirmed it had opened multiple shelters across the western North Carolina region, including one shelter in Charlotte. Anyone who needs assistance can visit the Tuckaseegee Recreation Center, located at 4820 Tuckaseegee Road. 

RELATED: Weather Aware: The potential impacts of Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas

 Saturday will be the best day of the week! There could be clouds in the morning but sunshine returns in the afternoon. Highs will reach the low 80s with morning temperatures in the low 60s.

A few showers are possible Sunday but overall, it’ll be a nicer day too. Highs peak in the low-mid 80s.

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.