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Severe weather possible across Charlotte area Wednesday
A line of thunderstorms capable of producing 60 mph winds and heavy rain will move across the Carolinas Wednesday, bringing the threat of severe weather.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A line of thunderstorms will bring the threat of severe weather to the Charlotte, North Carolina, region Wednesday, including the possibility of heavy rain and damaging winds.
First Warn Storm Team forecaster Larry Sprinkle said the biggest threat from Wednesday’s weather system will be heavy rain with possible flash flooding and high winds.
Areas from Charlotte south, including Albemarle, Monroe and Wadesboro in North Carolina, as well as Fort Mill, Lancaster, Rock Hill and York in South Carolina are in the medium category for severe weather.
“I think the main issue will be some gusty straight-line winds well over 60 mph,” Sprinkle said. “There’s also flooding potential with some of the heavy rains and isolated tornadoes are possible.”
Rain showers will move into the North Carolina mountains and foothills by 8 a.m. Wednesday. By 10 a.m., heavy rain will move into the High Country, including parts of Watauga, Burke and Caldwell counties.
Chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said up to 3″ of rain is possible in some parts of the western Carolinas. This could lead to flash flooding in localized areas.
Another band of showers will move into Charlotte by around 1 p.m. Sprinkle said there’s a possibility of some thunderstorms in the Queen City, but the worst weather should stay south.
“The heaviest rain and storms will be anywhere from Chester, South Carolina, down toward Columbia,” Sprinkle said.
Once Wednesday’s storms pass, the North Caroline mountains could see another dose of wintry weather with snow in the forecast. Sprinkle said it won’t be much, but the higher elevations, such as Grandfather Mountain, may see a dusting of snow Wednesday night into Thursday.