WeatherWise Alert: Severe Threat Increases Wednesday Afternoon

WeatherWise Alert 2-3 Rounds of Strong to Severe Storms Possible

• • • Damaging Wind Gusts 60+ mph
    • Large Hail Quarter to Ping Pong Sized
    • Isolated Tornadoes

Ongoing thunderstorms over the TN/KY border will move into a juicy environment over the Carolinas this afternoon where we will likely see some intensification and development of storms moving south and east through the early evening. Temps will warm into the upper 80s to lower 90s with plenty of moisture flowing into the region from the Gulf to provide fuel for storms. We’ll get breaks in the cloud cover allowing temps to heat up quickly and deep layer shear to keep these storms going Damaging wind, large hail and isolated tornadoes will be the main threats as these storms will race through the region. As of now, low level shear is lacking which is keeping our tornado threat low, but again not zero as we will need to watch for any discreet cells ahead of the pack. Some of the strongest storms and highest severe threat will be during the evening commute. Stay weatherwise this afternoon and evening.

After midnight, ahead of the cold front we will likely see  more of a line of storms progress through the region. The cold front will act a trigger for these storms, so we need to watch for any cells ahead of the line that could rotate. Otherwise, damaging winds and heavy rain leading to localized flooding will be the biggest concerns through Thursday morning as the front slows and meanders through the region through the morning commute.

If there is a break in the cloud cover or storms fizzle Thursday morning. We will likely see storms fire up again Thursday afternoon with that severe threat highlighted near and east of I-85.

A few showers may linger through early Friday as the front lingers near the region. However, drier air and cooler temps will arrive just in time for the weekend.