Severe Storms through this evening 

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect through 8 p.m. for the entire Charlotte metro and surrounding communities, including Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, Stanly, and Union counties. The strongest storms could produce wind gusts as high as 70 mph, hail and torrential rain.

 Large clusters of thunderstorms often develop well to our west before racing toward the Carolinas. If those storms arrive during the hottest part of the day, they’ll have plenty of heat and humidity to feed on, allowing them to strengthen quickly. 

Right now, the atmosphere appears more favorable for stronger storms this afternoon and evening.

 Heat index values will climb into the 100 to 105-degree range, making it feel much hotter than the actual air temperature. That heat won’t just make it uncomfortable, it will also help fuel the atmosphere for thunderstorms once the cold front gets closer.

The greatest window for severe weather looks to be now through 10 p.m.

 An isolated, brief tornado can’t be ruled out either, especially across communities north and east of Charlotte. Thunderstorms will also be capable of producing dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning, torrential rainfall, and rapidly changing driving conditions. If several storms move over the same locations, localized flooding could develop in low-lying or poor-drainage areas.

Keep your phone charged, and be prepared to head indoors quickly if warnings are issued. 

The good news is that this active pattern won’t stick around for long. Once the cold front pushes through Tuesday night, slightly cooler and less humid air will move into the Carolinas. Wednesday should feel noticeably more comfortable, with lower humidity and a much quieter weather pattern, offering a welcome break.

Stay tuned!